National Youth Policy creates framework for youth development – Presidential Advisor

Georgetown, GINA, July 8, 2016

The National Youth Policy is structured in a manner that will create a framework which will fully develop youths. Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton noted that the policy does not see youths as a problem, but as a tool for development.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Norton noted that, “A lot of talk on youths tends to deal with youth as if young people are a problem. This particular document treats young people as a human resource to be developed and it creates the frame work in which young people can be developed.”

The Presidential Advisor further explained that youth development is a process, adding that everyone has a role to play which includes family and the education system. “If we are to deal with the problem of the youth, we have to start very early, and so it (National Youth Policy) recognises the development of youth as a process beginning in the early childhood and moving on.”

Norton said he recognises that youths are most vulnerable between the ages of eight and fourteen and the policy is crafted to find solutions to the problems at an early stage.

The Presidential Advisor stated that the policy is  designed, “with the aim of ensuring that by the time they get to the age of 14, they are well prepared, dealing with all peer pressure, and then trying to rectify it when they are 15, 16 heading to 35.”

The policy provides five strategic areas which includes youth identity and empowerment, youth employment and entrepreneurship, education and market-driven skills development and youth leadership, participation and representation.

The National Youth Policy was presented to the National Assembly by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry on June 30, 2016. The policy is expected to be debated at a subsequent Sitting.