21 Vincentians sworn in as CARICOM Youth Ambassadors

Twenty-one Vincentian youths have been inducted as CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYA).

Last Saturday at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown, Minister of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Persons with Disabilities and Youth Frederick Stephenson gave his charge to the new members.{{more}}

Stephenson reminded the new ambassadors that they are committing themselves to their own development and advancement to help in assisting in the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines and to advance the development of the region.

He said that officials in the Youth Affairs Department could not do all the work necessary for advancing the development of young people and so “when young persons of your calibre step forward, it shows that the nation is on good footing,” the minister said.

However, he also reminded the group that they must show leadership qualities wherever they go, so “that others can look up to [them] and say one of these days ‘I would love to be a CARICOM Youth Ambassador for St Vincent and the Grenadines too’.

“One of the things that is lacking in our country today is good and positive role models,” the minister said.

He told the ambassadors that they must be different and that in the past the committee has had good leadership and persons.

Stephenson also expressed interest in having a national youth policy tabled in Parliament before the end of this year.

“We have a country to build and we can’t build the country without the help of the young people,” he stated.

According to Chelcia Ferdinand, CARICOM (Female) Youth Ambassador, since the committee’s inception in 2012, a number of persons here have made contributions in areas of health and well being, protection, safety and security, education and economic empowerment, culture and identity among other things.

Ferdinand said that since the call for committee members was made in November last year, they sought persons aged 18 to 30 years old who were able to demonstrate interest or experience in youth or voluntary community work and who were willing to use their talent networks or resources to promote CARICOM and social issues on a national level.

“We have come to recognize that this batch is bursting with conscientious, diligent and highly motivated CARICOM nationals.”

The committee here has also extended membership to Dominicans and Guyanese living in St Vincent and the Grenadines, to allow them to exercise the benefits of CARICOM and the CSME.

Last year the committee was involved in a number of activities, including the launch of a 90-day wellness campaign, designed to highlight and promote a healthy way of life around young people and the wider population.

They also participated in the ‘View of History’ programme on NBC radio, discussing the topic ‘Finding positive role models for the youth.’

During Black History Month last year, the committee reflected on the history of the Caribbean through an online campaign dubbed ‘Caribbean Hall of Fame,’ where posts relating to renown music artistes, poets, West Indies cricketers and key figures in Caribbean history were done on Facebook and Twitter.

They have also been involved in donating blood at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and assisted with donations for Dominica after it experienced its horrific natural disaster last year.

The new CYA inductees are: Andrew Young of Belair, Bethlene Ferdinand of Edinboro, Cassica Hutchins of Arnos Vale, Dexter Whinfield of Enhams, Dieta Tucker of Redemption Sharpes, Donique Billingy of Largo Heights, Eben Wilkins of New Montrose, Emil Dougan of Prospect, Jaioni James of Twenty Hill, Kelsey Cambridge of Rockies, Latisha James of Redemption Sharpes, Moureeze Franklyn of New Montrose, Najhma McKenzie of Fair Hall, Niketha Toney of Richland Park, Odelinda Barbour of Fair Hall, Sabiya Francois of New Montrose, Shane Burgin-Quashie of Choppins, Shaze Yammie of New Montrose, Tariq Roberts of Cane Garden, Vonley Richards of Mesopotamia and Wonlyn Lewis of Murray’s Village.(AS)