BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 9TH 2009 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce has been challenged to assist in providing adequate resources to prevent youth crimes.
Addressing the need to give serious consideration to proposals for the establishment of an internship or orientation programme aimed at preparing the young people for the workplace and for playing more meaningful and constructive roles in the society, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas asked: “Is the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and our social and economic partners prepared to go beyond the crime and murder statistics and commit adequate resources in preventive programmes?”
As the Featured Speaker at the 12th National Consultation on the Economy at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino Thursday night, Dr. Douglas noted that in their earlier remarks, the Deputy Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Hensley Daniel and the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Janet Harris, stressed the need for the youths at risk to be identified long before they get into trouble.
“They must be exposed to special training to bring them from the fringes of society. In addition, all of our social and economic programmes must be properly tailored to ensure that our young people are given reasonable and fair access the fruits of our continuing economic development, and that they are empowered to attain decent standards of living for themselves and make meaningful contributions to society,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
“We must also refrain from stereotyping our young people on the basis on the criminal activity of a misguided minority of young people. The achievements of many of our young people are substantial. We must therefore encourage the top performers among our young people and hold them up as example to the others,” said Dr. Douglas.
He expressed pleasure over some of the stunning performances of local students in the recently held CXC Examinations and youth athletes in regional championships.
“As a nation, we are truly proud of these students. We are proud of our Debating Team that earlier this year won the Leeward Island Debating Championship. We are proud of our Netball Team that won the OECS Under 23 Netball Championship and the Under-13 Netball Championship. We are proud of our Athletics Relay Team that participated in the Central American and Caribbean Champions Games and brought home gold,” said Dr. Douglas.
“Even as we spend time during these Consultations deliberating on the problems of our young people, let us also reflect on their achievements and seek to devise ways of giving each and every young person the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. This is the surest way of accelerating our march to that peaceful, harmonious and progressive society that we are building here in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
