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| Participants attend Youth Actiom Meeting. |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 13, 2005): Youth group leaders, youth partners and volunteers have been empowered with the skills necessary to expand the national youth development programme.
This was achieved at a two-day Youth Action Meeting at the Fort Thomas Hotel. The Department of Youth hosted the session, which was coordinated for Youth Month, observed annually in February.
At the Friday night opening, Youth Director Geoffrey Hanley congratulated the participants. & It shows that you are serious about youth development. You recognize that there are a number of issues that confront our young people and you are saying tonight I am ready to assist, he stated.
The group of approximately 50 young persons was given an overview of the draft Federal Youth Policy by Youth Officer and CARICOM Youth Ambassador Pierre Liburd. The document was compiled in 2002 to provide a guideline for youth development.
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Director of Youth Geoffrey Hanley welcomes participants to Youth Actiom Meeting. |
U.S. Peace Corps volunteer Renetta Boyd made a power point presentation on the ingredients of a needs assessment and how the Youth Department will collaborate with key stakeholders to achieve its goals.
She outlined some of the pros and cons of carrying out such a survey but stressed that participants will be able to transfer the skills they acquire to their professional and private lives. Ms. Boyd told SKNIS that the participants response was very positive.
They asked some very valid questions, she disclosed. & They wanted to know their responsibilities and I think they are really excited about being a part of this process and I think theyre also committed.
An important aspect of the project is community mapping. This process requires persons to map sites in their area identifying critical structures such as community centres, emergency facilities, businesses and churches. Popular spots frequented by young people must also be highlighted.
Terry Morris of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Community, Social and Gender Affairs facilitated this session. The community development officer lectured the attendees on assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a district and how residents can come together to maximize available resources. Ideas on ways to improve the area were also imparted. The interactive session required participants to produce a map of the area in which they live.
Other areas covered at the Youth Action Meeting include confidentiality, etiquette, conducting an interview, focus groups and how to deal with attitudes.
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| Renetta Boyd gives power point presentation. |
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Terry Morris (seated) looks on as youths show community on map. |
At the end of the meeting, Director Hanley described the weekend workshop as an excellent exercise noting that the objectives set were achieved. The young persons are very motivated to continue to make a difference and it is up to us (the Department of Youth) to continue to support them, he said. Hanley also thanked the facilitators for their invaluable input.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth Hon. Sam Condor indicated that government will continue to fulfill its obligation to the younger generation by hosting such sessions. The comments came during a visit to the meeting. He called on the private sector and other individuals to work with government to support youth related initiatives.
A follow-up workshop is scheduled for April.
