Thursday, January 14 – The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) announces that the cast of Youth Taking Action (YTA), a new television talk show, is back for another season.
DYAS Assistant Director for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Persia Tobin-Evelyn, told the Department of Information and Public Relations, “The cast is back with high energy. They remain committed and are doing their best in addressing relevant issues that are affecting youth in the Territory.”
“We are all looking forward to a great season,” said Mrs. Tobin-Evelyn. Initiatives for this season include more interaction of the cast with the public. The cast will be undertaking community projects, and are going to attend more youth development and youth-focused functions. Also, the cast will be conducting more ‘On-the-Street’ interviews; some of which will be chosen as highlights for shows.
“The cast will be featured on other local radio and television talk shows to speak to the general public about their initiatives, their goals, and the broader objectives of Youth Taking Action,” said Mrs. Tobin-Evelyn. She also said that an apprenticeship programme will be activated in which the cast will partake in personal development workshops to enhance communication skills and to teach fundamental television production techniques. Some cast members will also host the shows they have produced.
“The goal of this show is to not only provide a medium for expression, but also to aid in the development of all the youth involved with this programme,” she said.
“We are gearing up for a season filled with hot and very interesting topics, and I’m sure most of the youth here in the VI can identify with most, if not all of them,” said Mr. Touché McLean, one of the hosts of YTA.
Sex education, health, single parent homes, drugs and substance abuse prevention and awareness, religion, peer pressure and youth crime and violence are issues to be addressed on some of the shows to be taped this season. The topic of the first show to be taped this season is Sexuality, and will be aired on JTV Channel 55 on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. and on CBN Channel 51 on Friday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m.
“The public should watch our show because it’s the first time in the VI that us youth have a show for the youth, by the youth; giving facts and sharing our perspective on various topics affecting young people,” said cast member, Cargill ‘Blue’ Wright.
Members of the public are invited to send comments or questions to the cast via email at viyouthtakingaction@gmail.com and they can also add the group “Unite Us” on Facebook. Youth Taking Action, which first aired in October 2009, has a cast of 15 youth from various communities in the Territory.
Youth Taking Action is in line with the Department’s mission, to cultivate an environment through policy formation, programme development and community partnership where every youth in the Virgin Islands is equipped and empowered to be a healthy and active contributing member of society.
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports is responsible for executing Government’s agenda as it relates to the development of youth and sports in the Territory, on local, regional and international levels.
British Virgin Islands News