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Tuesday, January 16, 2007 – Junior Achievement St. Lucia - JA - has
launched a new program year. The program which was introduced to St. Lucia in
the 1996 by former president of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, now Industry,
International Trade and Commerce Minister Senator Guy Mayers, is still one of
the Chamber’s major commitments.
Starting with just five company programs eleven years ago, the program has
expanded its horizon to twenty company and sixty primary grade programs, spread
over several schools.
At the launching ceremony which took place at Sandals Grande St. Lucia, key note
speaker, Senator Guy Mayers, reminded the young entrepreneurs that they are
participating in a “strong, proven and thought-out learning exercise.”
Minister Mayers, whose business experience spans several years, said he sees
Junior Achievement “as a living laboratory” where students can experiment with
the principles of business, and engage in actual business processes. “I am
convinced that if our business community is to thrive in the new world order,
programs like JA must touch the lives of as many young people as possible so
that they could become cultured in the art and way of doing business not only
successfully but correctly,” he added..
Senator Mayers said he remains committed to JA, notwithstanding that he has
moved on to other challenges in his career, and has pledged that as Commerce
Minister, he will encourage government to support Junior Achievement as part of
its policy on national development. Having run a successful business over the
years, the government minister has challenged Junior Achievers in St. Lucia to
be creative when developing business concepts, and to “abstain from the 'copy
cat' mentality.”
Executive Director of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Brian Louisy applauded
the commitment of Senator Mayers to JA and expressed gratitude to Her Excellency
Dame Pearlette Louisy, Patron of Junior Achievement St .Lucia, for her support
over the years. Louisy said Junior Achievement while not exclusive to St. Lucia,
has a positive impact on society, touching the lives of students at an
impressionable age.
“It impacts how you think, and help you better understand and appreciate that
you are not going to school and working hard so that you can just get a good job
one day, but also that you too, can go out there and create employment and offer
good jobs,” Louisy said.
Junior Achievement St. Lucia has copped international awards for creativity, and
innovation. Over the years participants have undertaken business ventures such
as furniture making, catering and computer assembling. JA St. Lucia 2006-2007
board of directors comprise twelve members with Mrs. Jacintha Anius Lee as
Chairperson and Mrs. Claudiana Antoine as program coordinator.
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