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Contact: Darnley Lebourne
Friday, January 29, 2010 – Prime Minister Stephenson King leaves the State on Friday, January 29th, 2010 to join Saint Lucia’s delegation at the historic and first ever special “Summit on Youth and Development”. The conference which is being held in the Dutch speaking CARICOM territory of Suriname will bring together youth representatives from across the region.
The genesis of this historical summit emanated from a decision taken by CARICOM Heads in July, 2006 to mandate the establishment of a “Commission on Youth Development” with the task of conducting a full scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and to formulate recommendations for the well-being and empowerment of young people.
During the Summit on Youth and Development, CARICOM Heads will give deliberate attention to the future of Caribbean youth by reflecting on the realities, ideas, and ideals of youth. The basis for this exercise by regional Heads will be the report by the CARICOM Commission on Youth and Development (CCYD), entitled: “No Investment in Youth, No CSME”.
Prime Minister King’s attendance at the Youth Summit will allow him to benefit from and participate in the presentation and discussion of the Report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth and Development. Prime Minister King along with other regional leaders will receive a Summary of Conclusions of the Special Meeting of the Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD) of CARICOM. The COHSOD is a Ministerial sub-committee of CARICOM which is primarily concerned with the promotion of human and social development in the community. This involves areas such as health, education, youth, culture, sports and labour relations. Whilst at the youth summit, the Saint Lucian leader will participate in an Exchange of Views between Heads of government and youth delegates. One of the outputs of the summit will be the formulation of a “Declaration on the Future of Youth in the Caribbean Community”.
Prime Minister King’s participation in the first ever CARICOM Summit on Youth and Development is an expression of his commitment to youth issues. During his participation in the UN Climate Change Conference, Mr. King took time off to meet with young people from the region who were attending the conference in Copenhagen. Only last week Prime Minister King participated in a Youth Diaspora Video Conference to mark the commencement of activities related to Saint Lucia Home Coming 2010. Prime Minister King will be among only four (4) regional leaders attending the CARICOM youth summit.
Saint Lucia’s delegation to the CARICOM youth summit, which ends on January 30, includes:
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