Govt committed to youth empowerment
― Pres. Granger reiterates at Regional Youth Caucus held today
― encouraged youths to position themselves to become trained and empowered leaders
―Youth from all Regions in attendance
DPI, Guyana, Friday, March 29, 2019
As the Government remains committed to youth empowerment, Guyana’s premier Youth Caucus was today held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre where youth from all ten administrative regions flocked the conference which served as an avenue for greater involvement in solutions at the policy level and provided youth with the opportunity to air concerns and have them addressed.
The Government’s commitment to youth development and empowerment was reiterated by President David Granger who delivered the keynote address.
“Government will continue to work with you to develop your talents to enable you to provide the leadership Guyana needs.”
The Head of State highlighted the Coalition Government’s aim to create a “cadre of youth leaders” who are committed to developing their respective regions. He told the delegates that they must, therefore, position themselves to become trained and empowered leaders.
President Granger further noted that government continues to empower young people by “involving them in decision making in the neighbourhoods and villages and at the regional and national level.”
While quoting a report from the Caribbean Community Commission on youth, he stated: “in order for youth governance to be effective, it must provide opportunities for young people to become empowered and to make a contribution to the development through participation in decision making.”
The President said that youth involvement must not be purely seen in governmental terms, but it must be seen also in cultural expression. He further pledged to ensure adequate opportunities for cultural expressions are made available.
During the opening ceremony, the participants were encouraged to continue being active agents of change and social development.
Throughout the day, capacity building sessions, as well as ‘breakout’ sessions, were held to identify areas of need that various Regions have and to work as a unit to identify areas for improvement.
The caucus dealt with problems within the Education sector, defending Guyana’s territorial integrity, insights on crime and violence, Guyana’s emerging economy, sustainable development goals, youth and entrepreneurship, as well as sports and culture.
The youth themselves made several recommendations to the policy-making team of ‘One Youth’, the organisation that spearheaded the activity.
Exhibits from various Government and youth agencies were also on display, allowing the young persons to participate and have a greater appreciation for what the agencies do and how they can get directly involved. These include the Department of Public Information, the President’s Youth Award (PYARG) and The Ministry of Social Cohesion.
The event allowed unprecedented networking for young persons in several Regions, particularly Hinterland Regions. Participants and organizers alike lauded the investment and interest that the over three hundred youths present had in the development of their communities, Regions and by extension; Guyana.
One Youth is an active collaboration of youth groups comprising Political, Non-governmental, religious and private groups, who work to ensure that the youth’s voice is heard at all levels for the purpose of change.
Anara Khan, Nateshia Isaacs
Images: Keno George