St. Lucian Youth Celebrates National Youth Day on April 14
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Contact: Julita Peter
Friday, April 11, 2008 – National Youth Day in St. Lucia will be observed on Monday April 14th. The day was first observed in Saint Lucia on April 14, 1999, following a Cabinet Conclusion of April 16, 1998. The annual observance marks the anniversary of the birth of the Saint Lucia National Youth Council (NYC) and the passing of its 5th President, Mr. Wayne Louis, who lost his life tragically on April 14, 1998.
President of the NYC Marvin Edgar said the day symbolizes the birth of something very special for the youth of Saint Lucia. He noted, that notwithstanding the challenges of unemployment, poverty, crime and HIV infection, committed and dedicated young people continue to volunteer their valuable time and energy through various youth organizations.
“While we are at the zenith of youth month celebrations, our policy makers are again encouraged to acknowledge the invaluable contributions that young people make to our society. Hence, youth empowerment must be accorded its rightful place within the national development agenda. The Commonwealth recognizes that empowering young people means creating and supporting the enabling conditions under which young people can act on their own terms,” he added.
The young people of Saint Lucia, according to the NYC President, are in the best position to plan their future and to determine their destiny. He therefore, calls for greater youth involvement in national development issues.
Edgar said creating the enabling framework for the island's youth is critical, since youth development is a vital part of national development. He further called on the youth to observe April 14th by not only focusing on the plight of youth, but by charting a new course of empowerment and development.
“We must be a major part of any process which seeks to shape our country's future and we must be properly consulted on issues of national importance. Accordingly, the NYC must never abandon its advocacy role on behalf of our country’s youth, and we, the young people of Saint Lucia must not allow ourselves to be divided by social or economic status, neither must we compromise our principles on the altar of partisan political preference,” the NYC President said.
The NYC 's mission is: “To harness the talents, energies and creativity of Saint Lucian youth and to transform these into a potent resource for individual, community and national development.” |
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