BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER 100 concerned and forward-thinking young persons from around St. Kitts attended yesterday’s (Apr. 5) inaugural Youth Convention at the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Headquarters on Lockhard Street.
The conference was facilitated by the political party’s youth arm, Youths for Change’ (YC), under the theme “Wanting a Change, Creating a Change, Embracing our Change”.
Representatives from several of the island’s secondary schools, the St. Kitts Youth Department and the private sector, as well as several members of the host group and the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) were among the myriad persons gathered to discuss pertinent youth issues.
YC Advisor Wallace Wilkin called the open forum “lively” and “the highlight of the day’s proceedings”. He stated the discussion centred on education and crime and that the recommendations put forward would be compiled into a report.
“This report will be presented to the leaders of the two main political parties, PAM and Labour. We hope they will refer to it in their formulation of youth policy and programmes,” said Wilkin.
Apart from the discussion, presentations were made by several prominent businessmen, politicians and youth leaders. The featured speaker was Marketing Consultant Selwyn Liburd, who expounded on the day’s theme and its meaning.
Khrystus Wallace, CEO of KVK Enterprises, presented on youth entrepreneurship while Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Five, the Hon. Shawn Richards spoke about youth empowerment through politics.
SKNYPA President Azilla Clarke revealed the numerous opportunities offered by participating in youth groups and PAM Political Leader Lindsay Grant elucidated on his party’s vision for youth enhancement and development.
According to Wilkin, the convention was the group’s first initiative of that sort, but based on the “great success” of the initiative, similar activities would be held in the near future.
Youths for Change was established in 2008 with the mandate of promoting youth development. Wilkin admits that the group has a definite political leaning but that membership is open to youth of all political persuasions.
The group’s previous activities include Power to Speak, which was a workshop aimed at improving public speaking skills, and various fundraising activities.
