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Contact:
Rose Marie Harris
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The signing of the Youth Enterprise
Project - 2004 |
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 – Thirteen young people will undergo a thirty
hour Personal Development Training Programme from Friday May 13th through to
Sunday May 15, 2005 as part of the first segment of the Youth Enterprise
Development Fund (YEDF).
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund which is being funded by the Commonwealth
Youth Programme CYP and the Government of Saint Lucia is being implemented by
the James Belgrave Micro Enterprise Development Fund BELFUND with assistance
from the National Skills Development Centre NSDC.
According to the Manager of BELFUND Mr. Marcellus Joseph, the Personnel
Development Training Programme is designed to assist entrepreneurs to acquire
the knowledge and skills which will aid in their personal growth and
development. “At the end of the programme participants should be able to improve
their understanding of self and others with whom they have to interact;
understand the impact of human growth and development on behaviour and
personality; acquire tools for visioning, goal setting and good leadership and
acquire knowledge and skills for family life improvement.”
Following this initial training, participants will undergo a ninety hour
business management training programme which is expected to commence on Tuesday
May 17th. “The aspect of the training which include topics such as
Entrepreneurship and Income Generating Activity, Managing Money and Savings,
Feasibility Study, Marketing and Selling Techniques and Managing People and
Customer Relations, is to instil and/or sharpen the business management skills
of participants, in an effort to sufficiently prepare them to operate their own
micro businesses in an effective and efficient manner, towards achieving
sustainability and profitability.” Mr. Joseph said.
It was during his 2004/2005 Budget Presentation that Prime Minister Honourable
Dr. Kenny Anthony articulated the need for greater social participation by youth
of the society. The Prime Minister said that government also recognised that
social participation without economic enfranchisement is a rather hollow ideal.
“Thus we approached the Commonwealth Youth Programme to secure a portfolio of
resources to specifically target young people between the ages of eighteen to
thirty years, allowing for interventions that would permit them to engage in
viable economic ventures,” explained Dr. Anthony.
The Commonwealth Youth Programme agreed to make available a sum of twenty
thousand pounds sterling (£20,000) or approximately $94,000.00 to launch a new
Youth Enterprise Development Fund. This, according to Dr. Anthony, is a modest
start, but once established it is expected that more resources will be directed
to the Fund. “The Belfund shall be used as the window through which we shall
collaborate with the Commonwealth Youth Programme in managing this Enterprise
Fund. We expect the Youth Enterprise Development Fund to have a number of
positive effects on the communities throughout the island. For instance;
- There will be more opportunities for disadvantaged youth to create their
own enterprises and acquire new skills. They will be so empowered as to be
able to participate in more social, economic and political activities.
- As more young persons gain the experience of running successful
enterprises, it will mean more young people becoming economic leaders in their
communities.
- Young people will have greater access to knowledge as a result of
acquiring information and communication technology (ICT).
- There will be a stronger partnership between Government, the private
sector, NGOs and other organisations.
- There will be a strengthening of the support structures for youth
development.
During the budget presentation the Prime Minister urged the private sector,
NGOs and community organisations to join hands to forge a strong partnership
with Government to address issues of youth unemployment, job creation and
economic growth. “As already stated, the Government cannot do it all. Hence the
private sector is encouraged to increase investment in the youth because by so
doing, they will be investing in the sustainable future of this country.” He
said.
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