~~Adz:Left~~Basseterre, St. Kitts (November 30, 2006): Young people were challenged to take control of their lives, strive for excellence and increase positive efforts during the National Youth Symposium on Wednesday.

The event, which was held at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon. Sam Condor, Ministers Dwyer Astaphan and Richard Skerritt, private and public sector representatives and scores of young people.

Director of Youth Geoffrey Hanley explained the event's theme: "Youth Empowered for a Transformed Future," challenges young people to be a force for change.

"Young people are encouraged to play an active role in their day to day lives, to explore the capabilities and unleash their potential to implement change," Hanley said, adding that they must become more organized to develop a unified voice.

Minister Condor said his government is committed to youth development. "As a government we have assigned the highest priority and have invested heavily in the education of our youth and indeed education and training are the most critical aspects of empowerment," he explained. "We have and continue to focus on the acquisition and honing of skills and talents as we face challenges of regionalism and globalization.

"In partnership with the private sector and other civic organizations we have and will continue to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity."

Freedom of expression, developmental avenues through sport, entertainment and employment opportunities were also cited by the Deputy Prime Minister as tools used to tap the potential of young people and facilitate growth.

~~Adz:Right~~He added that by providing these and other opportunities the government was investing in a bright future for the Federation.

 "I would like you to visualize with me a future full of possibilities. I have a message for you. You are not only the future, you are indeed the present," he noted. "As you meet today to contemplate the way forward, I am depending on you to come up with innovative ideas and strategies which will assist us in our endeavor to create an environment which will enable our youth to pursue and realize their potential and aspirations."

Meanwhile Minister of National Security Hon. G. A. Dwyer Astaphan recounted the story of Rudy Langliss, a young man from Thibou Avenue in St. Kitts who migrated to the United States. Minister Astaphan revealed that Langliss overcame less fortunate circumstances and negative influences in New Jersey to become one of the top movie producers in Hollywood working with talents such as Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford and Jamie Foxx.

"He (Langliss) had a dream and a goal," Minister Astaphan told the gathering. "He did not allow the gangsters beating him up everyday to deter him from achieving his goal. He did not allow his financial difficulties and the tribulations his family endured, to turn him to crime and antisocial behaviour. He did not keep bad company instead he kept his religious faith."

During working sessions the young people addressed topics such as Youth, Crime and our Legal System, CSME, the Economy and its Transformation, HIV/AIDS and other Health Issues and How the Media Influence Youths.