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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Friday, April 16, 2004 - Participants of the first ever Caribbean
Co-operative Youth Conference which started here on Wednesday, April 14 have
been described as the nerve centre for ensuring the sustainability of that
sector within the region. The organisers are also of the view that vibrant youth
participation at that conference could also nurture their contribution towards
the Caribbean integration movement.
The four day event is being hosted by the St. Lucia Cooperative League. Speaking
at the opening ceremony at the Bay Gardens Hotel, President of the St. Lucia
Cooperative League, Terrance Charlemagne emphasized the importance of the
younger generation’s involvement in the cooperative sector, which he said was
central to the economic advancement of its members and that sector generally.
He added that by participating so actively, the youth are demonstrating their
keen interest in the continued sustenance of the cooperative sector, thus
presenting a challenge for those who may harbour the desire to erode the
contribution of cooperatives to the socio- economic development of its members.
It is for this reason that efforts are in place to implement a number of
initiatives that are expected to enhance the cooperative sector and influence
greater youth participation. “A National Youth Credit Union of the National
Youth Council to facilitate funding for disadvantaged youth with money from the
National Lottery or EDF, may be an initiative to be considered. It is only
through deliberate, positive and visible action that we can ensure sustain
growth of that sector” Charlemagne said.
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Henry Mangal appealed
to the young participants of this first ever Caribbean Co-operative Youth
Conference to prepare for the responsibilities that lay ahead. He urged the
participants to learn from this conference, “not only the principles of thrift
and investment but also the lessons of life; namely fairness, justice, equity,
respect for others and for authority and the general handling of
responsibility.”
The Caribbean Co-operative Youth Conference comes to a close on Sunday, April
18th, 2004.
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