Youth Information Centre Opens in May Pen

Young persons in the parish of Clarendon now have a Youth Information Centre (YIC), which operates under the auspices of the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD).

The facility, located in May Pen, was constructed with funding provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and features several training resources and areas for counselling. The building is also shared by the National Youth Service (NYS).

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, who addressed the opening on May 16, said it is a policy going forward to house the two entities at the same location.

“We will save the recurrent expenditure costs, and we will bring better human resources together. This will have all the added benefits of the Ministry of Youth and Culture agencies,” the Minister noted.

She informed that by 2016, 15 YICs will be established across the island, with three slated for opening this year.

The Minister told the audience that the country’s development agenda must “incorporate dreams and aspirations” of young people, hence the need for the centres.

“Since 2003, we have established spaces across Jamaica, which allow young people to have access to programmes, to discuss ideas, and share what they do best, which is to create and network,” she added.

The Minister emphasized the importance of young people having outlets to express their creativity, adding that they also need to be given opportunities where they can get information for their overall development, which the centre provides.

The NCYD is responsible for facilitating the cooperation and integration of programmes, services and activities geared toward youth development. It is also responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing youth development programmes that enhance the capacities of young people to participate in societal processes and provide spaces and opportunities to increase youth participation.