Step Up To the Plate, Hanna Urges Youngsters

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, says now is the time for the country’s youth to step up to the plate and take their role as the nation’s future leaders.

“You are at a defining moment in this country so stop joining those who believe that ‘nutten nah gwaan’ in Jamaica. It is your generation that has to make something go on,” she said.

Ms. Hanna was speaking at today’s (August 25) second staging of the National Children’s Summit at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

The Youth Minister stressed that if the nation’s youth do not take charge, then the work that has been done in previous generations, “would be for naught”.

“It is your time now. The world is not waiting on you to play catch up, so figure it out; do what is right and just get it done,” she emphasised.

Ms. Hanna welcomed the summit, noting that it is providing an opportunity for young people to add their voice to providing solutions to the problems the country face; and to help the Government define and design policy, which pertain to them.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, concurred that it is it up to this generation to lead the way into the future.

He highlighted the need for positive behaviour change among the youth and for them to adopt proper values and attitudes.

Under the theme: ‘Creating Opportunities to Develop Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’, the summit targeted children ages 12 to 17 years from across the island, including those from the child protection system, special children’s groups, and faith-based organisations.

The annual event, conceptualised by the Child Development Agency’s (CDA) Children’s Advisory Panel (CAP), provided an opportunity for children to express their views and relate to each other on matters affecting them.

Discussion focused on the topics: ‘Understanding the Phenomena of Bullying in Jamaica’; ‘Child Rights and Responsibility’; and ‘Violence Against Children’.

The summit included a series of workshops geared toward helping children to discover and begin to hone their creative talents.

An exhibition, featuring programmes and products from a wide range of partners in the child development and protection sector, was also mounted.