Nominations for PM’s National Youth Awards for Excellence Open Sept. 6

Nominations for the 2018 Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence will open on September 6 and run until October 5.

Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in Kingston today (September 3), Minister of State, Hon. Floyd Green, said this year the focus will be on nation builders and youth leaders in corporate Jamaica.

He said the Nation Builders award, which is a new segment of the recognition scheme, will reward youth who have dedicated their services to the development of communities.

“Young people are shining right across Jamaica, so nominate our youth. Let us get the applications, so we can vet and see who are qualified,” Mr. Green added.

The State Minister said that “we want to reward young people who have formed community groups, given back to the communities in different ways, and lobbied for community centres and sport facilities”.

Mr. Green said he is encouraging persons to visit www.moe.gov.jm, or youthjamaica.com for application forms.

The State Minister pointed out that the Corporate Leadership award, also new, is in keeping with the Government’s drive to create role models “among young people in business, and reward those young people in corporate life who have shown strong leadership”.

The Prime Minister National Youth Awards for Excellence was introduced in 1998 to recognise young Jamaicans who have excelled and contributed to national development.

Since its inception, 224 awards have been conferred on individuals in the fields of Academics, Sport, Arts and Culture, Environmental Protection, and Journalism.

It is open to all Jamaican nationals between 15 and 29 years old who are living in Jamaica and the diaspora, who have attained excellence and world-class achievement.

“We can hold them up as role models for other youth to excel and embrace their positive qualities,” Mr. Green said.