Spotlight on Youth in November

KINGSTON — The National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) will celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and vibrance of the country's young people during Youth Month 2011 in November.

The month of activities, under the theme:  ‘Young and Creative, Bold and Innovative’, will be launched on Tuesday (Nov. 1) at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange, and State Minister, Senator Warren Newby, will be among the main speakers.

Youth Information Specialist at the NCYD, Rochelle Brooks, told JIS that this year’s Youth Month observances promise to be “more meaningful” for young people.

"This year, we are looking at how young people are innovative, how they are vibrant, how they have contributed and how we as a society can help them to develop and work on their talents to become better citizens,” she stated.  

She informed that a full slate of activities is being planned for the month, aimed at energising the youth to “take up the reigns as future citizens and to make a contribution to the economy”.

Among the highlights will be the unveiling of the NCYD/Youth Information Centre (YIC) website, www.youthjamaica.com, which will take place at Tuesday’s Youth Month launch.

Miss Brooks informed that through the website, young people will be able to access information pertaining to the world of work as well as particulars about the myriad of programmes offered by the NCYD and the YICs across the island.

Other activities include a gospel concert on Saturday, November 5 at the Port Antonio Square in Portland; observance of International Students’ Day on Thursday, November 17, at the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School in St. Ann; a health and sports fair on Saturday, November 26 at the St. Elizabeth YIC; and the annual general meeting of the National Youth Council of Jamaica on Sunday, November 27.

Young people from various youth organisations will call on key Government Ministers during the month, including Education, Security, and Youth, Sports and Culture.

“It will be in a format where young people can exchange ideas, make recommendations, ask questions as to the steps being made to develop the country and how young people can be included in the process of governance and policy development,” Miss Brooks explained.

A Youth Opportunity Fair, sponsored by Lime, is scheduled to take place on December 3, which will expose young people to various jobs, training and educational opportunities.

Activities for Youth Month are being coordinated by the NCYD, an agency of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

By E. Hartman Reckord