BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MINISTER with responsibility for Youth, Hon. Shawn Richards is advocating that the voices of young people must be heard and should not be a demand by them for recognition.
Addressing reporters at Friday’s (Nov. 4) Youth March and Rally in recognition of Youth Month celebrated in November, Richards pointed out that the underlying theme he is seeking to resonate is “Giving young people a voice”.
The Minister said: “I think it says quite a bit. I don’t think that the young people should be demanding a voice, but there should be that general recognition that the young people in St. Kitts and Nevis must be equal partners in the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
A Church Service was held on Sunday (Oct. 30) and was followed by a nationally-televised speech by the Minister to officially launch the month of activities.
“We have several different activities planned throughout the month. Seeing that it is Youth Month, of course, the activities are geared towards bringing awareness towards the young people in St. Kitts and Nevis in the fact that they are being heard and that they are a very important part of the population,” Minister Richards said.
The March, led by Minister Richards, started at Greenlands and proceeded east along Cayon Street, south onto Church Street, right onto Central Street, back onto Cayon Street and culminated with a Rally at Independence Square.
Richards told journalists that he was impressed with the turnout and those who took the timeout to walk and raise the awareness for youths in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“The march would have attracted participants such as the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, students from some of the primary schools in St. Kitts and Nevis, and our Ambassador Cops which we are hoping to launch sometime during this month.”
In his explanation as to how raising awareness and giving youths a voice are fitting into the overall development of young people, the Minister said: “The Youth Policy is about young people and here it is that you have young persons taking to the streets of Basseterre to march in solidarity with each other to bring awareness to the fact that they are young persons and indeed they must be heard. Generally, that is what the Youth Policy is all about, their rights and responsibilities.”
Among the activities planned for the remainder of the month are a sitting of the National Youth Parliament and the awarding of the 25 Most Remarkable Teens.
