THE Society Against Sexual Orientation and Discrimination (SASOD), through its social change coordinator Jairo Rodrigues, has renewed its call for investment in youths who they contend are the leaders of today.Rodrigues made this call on Friday when SASOD participated in a youth fair organised by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Youth. The event, in observance of International Youth Day was held at the National Cultural Centre’s tarmac.

Rodrigues, who also holds the organization’s portfolio for children’s rights and youth affairs, declared that SASOD will continue to encourage and support initiatives that foster development for all persons in its quest for social progression.

“The work we do at SASOD involves all sectors of society and impacts all ages, ethnicities, genders and all backgrounds. If we are to achieve equity and justice for all Guyanese as our mission sets out, then we must invest in our country’s most valuable resource and that is our people,” he said.

CRITICAL ROLE
He also underscored the importance of celebrating and empowering the youths of the day as they play a critical role in today’s society.
“Why not celebrate and empower the youths of the day, as the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon expressed that the youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today,” Rodrigues told the gathering.

To support SASOD’s youth-related work, the organization hosted a Youth Empowerment Session for 20 young people at their Charlotte Street office in Georgetown on the eve of International Youth Day.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
The half-day session which was facilitated by renowned Guyanese motivational speaker and personal development coach, Dr. Astell Collins focused on self-discovery, leadership, enhancing talents, abilities and strengths to maximize potential and having emotional intelligence for good mental health.

The session, which was well received by the participants, opened three days of activities from the human rights organisation to commemorate International Youth Day.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, August 13, the organization also hosted a booth at the Just Youth It Conference 2016 hosted by the Come Alive Network Inc. (CANI) at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Representing SASOD as a participant, Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Trevor Garner who stated that the conference was one that not only educated but inspired youths to strive for the advancement of themselves and their communities.

“It was about identifying your strengths and weaknesses. We were taught that you must have a vision and know your focus – in time you will eventually find success. It was really enlightening,” Garner asserted.