Youth Chat with Cabinet

Contact: Dana Augustin

Monday March 25, 2000 - Young people from around the island met with Cabinet members on Thursday, March 20, 2000 at the conference room of the Francis Compton Building (formerly the NIS Building), to partake in a forum for youth organized by the Youth Month Planning Committee. The idea was to allow for open discussion whereby, young people could air their views on issues affecting them, and come to a clearer understanding about policies, relating to the nation’s youth, which are being initiated and proposed by the government.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Ernest Hilaire said, "The activity was conceived as an opportunity for young people to sensitize the members of Cabinet to what it is young people are thinking and the kind of direction they want the country to go."

Prime Minister, Honourable Kenny D. Anthony, chaired the meeting. He and his Cabinet responded to questions and concerns put forward by the youth. The young persons raised questions surrounding school, constituency and public issues. Among some of the commonest concerns were the problem of unemployment, the unavailability of resources to further their education and the condition of existing, and the need for additional, sporting and recreational facilities.

Vice President of the National Youth Council, Mr. Silas Wilson said the NYC applauds the government for some of the initiatives proposed in the 2000/2001 budget address. These related particularly to the government’s decision to give more assistance to youth clubs around the island and to institute measures that will assist young persons in financing their own business.

The Minister for Education, Human Resource Development, Youth and Sports, Honourable Mario Michel, said that a National Youth Policy is soon to be implemented when it is formally adopted by all relevant sectors.

Last Thursday’s "Chat with Cabinet" was part of ongoing activities to mark April as Youth Month, under the theme, "Youth - Custodians of Our Vision."

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