Georgetown: “With the right tools young people can become the agents and leaders of development and peace in their communities.” This view was expressed by the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry, as she delivered the feature address at the Caribbean Youth Day 2015 symposium, this morning at the National Library.
Minister Henry reminded the young attendees that, young people are at the heart of national development. She said that youths, who constituted more than 15 percent of the population, have a key role to play in the process of development.
Caribbean Youth Day 2015 is being celebrated under the theme, “Refocus, Reinvent, Reinforce Youth Integration for a Stronger and Sustainable Caribbean.” This year’s theme is set in the context of the United Nations post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It is one that recognises that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
As agreed by the UN in a resolve to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure the planet, the agenda sets out 17 goals and 169 targets to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path.
Observing that these goals and targets were recently debated at the 70th UN General Assembly, Minister Henry said the observation of Caribbean Youth Day 2015 is an opportune time to continue educating the population, including the youths, about the 17 proposed goals and 169 targets. “It is also an opportune time to strengthen partnership and the inclusion of everyone, towards the achievements of the goals and targets,” she said.
According to Henry, the symposium provides the opportunity to increase collaboration and participation in achieving the SDGs by the merging of resources, tools and techniques. “There is also the potential to bridge initiatives for youth and national development and to facilitate civil society organisation taking a lead role in addition to the traditional implementation and monitoring measures of the SDGs,” Henry pointed out.
The symposium was organised by the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Guyana National Youth Council.
You must be logged in to post a comment.