Impress Youth Conference and Expo attracts capacity crowd
REVOLUTIONARY, refreshing and re-energizing best describe the Impress Youth Conference and Expo, held under the theme: ‘Making our Mark’, which attracted thousands of Guyanese youths at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, yesterday. Young people from all strata of Guyanese society converged on the centre to participate in the event geared towards connecting and engaging young people and policy makers for the expansion and creation of opportunities, while encouraging participation in policy-making and social awareness.
In his presentation at the opening ceremony, President Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that the PPP/C relies on the youths of this nation for inspiration to develop policies and programmes geared towards overall growth and development.
The Head of State emphasized to the massive gathering that the work they undertake at the event will serve as a guide for the party over the next five years in government.
“ Your ideas here can  become policy; make sure you grasp this opportunity as not many people have ever had that, no other political party has organized this type of conference to bring young people together to  contribute to their agenda for running this country; this is  a continuous aim of the PPP,” he emphasized.
Jagdeo urged them to learn about what the country was like before the PPP/C assumed office in 1992, and not to listen to persons in society who are bent on “distorting” the history of the party.
He reminded of a time when citizens were arrested for having certain food items, like bread, or for speaking out against the government.
Alluding to the progress made over the years, Jagdeo stated, “We  have freedom today in this country , no one gets locked up for criticising the government, newspapers could freely publish, you have real freedom, people do not have to belong to a political party to get a job. This is the Guyana that we have come into; I want you to read about that era, because if you do not have a sense of how far we have come, there will be nothing to defend, because you will not see the progress made in this country.”
The president also took the opportunity to highlight to the crowd the cardinal principles of the oldest ruling party, which includes ensuring that Guyana move forward, that there is economic and social growth, and that all of the people of the country benefit from this; and an aggressive fight against racism to ensure that Guyanese remain united as one people.
These basic tenets still remain the primary objective of the PPP/C today, even as the Presidential Candidate, Mr. Donald Ramotar, is poised to take over the helm of the party, President Jagdeo assured.
He urged the youths to join in the fight against racism and prejudice.
“This country makes progress when all of its people do well; that is what we need to fight for, bringing people together. Do not be prejudiced by people who live in the past, as they have lived their lives in bitterness; as young members you have to promise that in every way, you will fight against this,” the President advocated.
He encouraged participants to express themselves during the break-out sessions, and to say what they think the party should focus on as it moves forward.
PPP Presidential Candidate and General Secretary, Donald Ramotar, emphasised that youths are the main stakeholders in what is taking place in the country, and as such their continued involvement is vital to the party’s agenda.
According to Ramotar, young people have always been at the center of the PPP/C, which has always fought for their rights, and has blazed the trail at every important juncture in merging with youth and in creating better conditions for them.
“I am looking forward to hearing your views and ideas as we are preparing and finalising the manifesto so that you who are here will be able to have a direct input in this important work, so that we can build a better and brighter Guyana,” he said.
He too reminded participants that the PPP was founded by young people, much like them, who were fighting for the liberation of all Guyanese people during the 1950s.
As to the important role played by young people throughout the party’s history, he said, “Comrade Cheddi Jagan was only 32 in 1950, and in 1953 the first democratically elected government in our country again was founded by young people; Cheddi Jagan was 35 years at that time, the same age that Comrade Bharrat Jagdeo was when he assumed the presidency of Guyana in 1999.”
On this note, the Presidential Candidate highlighted the importance of youth involvement, even at this stage in the country’s history, and assured that the PPP/C will continue to represent this group.
He stated, “We have always kept faith in our young people; and because we have a deep foundation in youth, we have always championed their cause. Many who fought in the 28 years of opposition are national leaders in our country, and we have never lost faith in youths, which is why we have promoted young people to be at center of operations.” 
Other ministers of government also addressed the gathering, including Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud; Minister of Public Services; Jennifer Westford; and Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who offered a special tribute in recognition of International Youth Day, to be celebrated today.
The Impress Youth Conference and Expo provided a platform for the mainstreaming of young people and youth issues as part of the continued fortification and expansion of Guyana’s democracy.
Discussions were centered on three main themes: expanding opportunities for young people in a changing economic environment, facilitated by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; transformation and modernization agenda of Guyana, facilitated by Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali; and confronting social and cultural challenges in a diverse society, facilitated by Reverend Kwame Gilbert, MP.
The GICC was filled to capacity yesterday, as thousands of youths thronged the venue to participate in meaningful discourse and to harness as mush as possible from the ground-breaking event.