Culture ministry, group to collaborate on youth empowerment
Monday, May 15th 2006
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre (CYPCC) held a consultancy on youth empowerment on Wednesday.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the joint venture was aimed at ensuring youth involvement in multi-disciplinary professions, social and educational development. Youth development is recognised as a significant aspect of national development and the ministry is working with stakeholders to implement competency programmes for its promotion.
Culture Minister Anthony Xavier lauded the programme; he also said that rather than a consultancy; it should be held for a longer period to make a greater impact on youths. The CYPCC has hosted several meetings of this kind throughout the Commonwealth and this meeting, incorporating the theme 'Towards the professionalisation of youth work' is intended to equip Guyanese with the tools to develop themselves and communities.
Senior Programme Manager at the CYPCC Glenyss James said youths are empowered when they know that they can make choices and informed decisions. Fittingly, the format of the programme is face-to-face interaction with young people in a variety of settings; this will enable them to assess their environment and to implement appropriate responses.
Xavier said he is looking forward to the reopening of the Commonwealth Youth Centre at Kuru Kuru and urged the involvement of government and other stakeholders. He said, "certainly such a move can cause the Commonwealth Youth Programme to equip the training centre and a captive group of young people can undergo vocational skills training."
The minister also remarked that with the emergence of the Caricom Single Market and Economy governments would recognise youth work and other innovations as they can have a direct impact on competency.
The meeting was held at the Carifesta Sports Complex.
© Stabroek News
