BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AT the Inaugural Annual Minister’s Youth Luncheon held today (Nov. 21) at the Ocean Terrace Inn, Minister of Culture Hon. Shawn Richards held discussions with a number of young people on the National Youth Policy and the major problems that they are facing.
The event saw a wide cross section of youths in attendance, including reigning queens, musicians and cultural representatives, among others.
Senior Youth Officer Pierre Liburd, while addressing the gathering, explained that the session was used as an interactive tool for the Minister and other officials to gain feedback from young people and what their main concerns are.
“This morning is intended to be an interesting experience, and one that is of extreme value. This is a very important opportunity not only to hear from us policy makers and government officials about what we expect and what our vision is, what is our expectations and what we see as youth development going forward over the next few years, but it is an opportunity for all of you, all of us to converse and to dialogue openly, frankly and respectfully...”
Minister Richards explained that since his ascendency to office in 2015, he had planned to have such an activity where he would be able to interact with youths from across the Federation on their challenges and expectations.
That, however, could not have been realised until today due to a number of challenges encountered.
The Acting Prime Minister elucidated that the meeting was called for many reasons, including the fact that it is only through such discussions they could understand the needs of young people.
“I don’t think I can honestly sit in an office and determine all of the issues affecting young persons and what are some of the programmes that you would like to see put in place to benefit you the young people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“That is my view that guidance must come from you. This forum is hoping that you would highlight some of the issues affecting you and some of the ways in which you feel these issues can be addressed.”
Apart from that, the Minister disclosed that he had conversations with the Director of Youth, questioning whether the programmes emanating from that department are reflective of the needs of the young people, and what other programmes the Youth Department could put in place “to advance the causes of young people in the Federation.”
Against that backdrop, Minister Richards reminded that last Tuesday he was able to lay the Federal Youth Policy for St. Kitts and Nevis before the National Assembly.
It is a policy that the Minister, upon taking office, said “it must become reality”.
With it now being operational, Richards challenged the attendees to not allow the policy to sit idly on a desk, “but becomes a working document on behalf of the young people”.
