Youth Leader Encourages Young People to Help Build a Better Jamaica

The continued development of programmes, which will foster growth and instill good values within the youth, are vital components for the advancement of the country.
This was stated by Prime Minister of the Youth Parliament in Jamaica, Tamian Beckford, at the official launch of the National Schools’ Poster and Essay Competitions at the Hilton Kingston Hotel on October 17.
Mr. Beckford added that “it is through young people that we will build a better Jamaica, that we can live in, leave our doors open once again, move on without too much anger, too much frustration and live together as one Jamaica land we love.”
The Youth Leader implored students to write informed essays, which will allow for continued relationships between the police and citizens.
“I want you as young people to tell adults how you feel about the police, how you feel they should be acting, how.you think community policing should be acting,” he said.
“As young people,” he continued, “you can put your thoughts so clearly, so precisely, so honestly, that nobody can say that it is ambiguous.”
Mr. Beckford encouraged youths to “go ahead and write what you feel,” adding that he is of the firm belief that more emphasis should be placed on the future leaders of the society.
He commended the organisers of the programme, expressing delight that “such a programme can be set up that we can move forward and be able to express our views.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Director, Office of the Sustainable Development, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Sean Osner, noted that his organisation will continue to work with its partners to ensure that there is an active focus on the youth.
“We will also work to demonstrate the linkages between citizenship, participation, community safety and community transformation,” he added.
Mr. Osner said that public education is a critical part of the community transformation process, adding that “it must engage our youths in a manner that allows them to use their creativity and stimulate dialogue among every stakeholder to highlight their individual and collective roles.”
“The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and other stakeholders also benefit from the opinions of youths as they embark on community reform and continue to roll out the community policing and community safety programmes island wide,” he stated.
He encouraged the students to “give this your very best efforts.your positive contributions can transform your home, classrooms and your schools and help create safer and more prosperous communities.”
The competitions, organised by the JCF in association with the National Transformation Programme (NTP) also referred to as Fresh Start and the USAID, will be staged under the theme: ‘Community Policing and Community Safety – A Fresh Start for Jamaica’.
The theme of the competitions is in support of the JCF’s Community Policing and Community Safety Initiatives. The competitions seek to mobilise and motivate youths while effecting change, which will have a lasting transformation in the attitude towards the police, while recognising the need for collaborative efforts in the fight against crime and violence.