NATIONAL Youth Week 2018 comes with a difference as it will address youth-related social issues, career challenges and youth entrepreneurship through an inaugural Youth Business Summit competition.

The event is being held under the theme, ‘Empowering Young People to Foster National and Community Development through Innovation’ and will last for the period,May 20-27.
At a press conference on Friday, Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael; Assistant Director of Youth Leslyn Boyce and Project Officer Jermaine Watson updated the public on the upcoming activities.

Perhaps the most anticipated event is the Youth Business Summit on May 23-24, where youth from all across the nation will compete by pitching their business proposals for the reward of possible start-up financing.

The Ministry has received over 230 applications for the summit and a panel has sifted out 21 proposals, which will be pitched at the Pegasus Hotel from 09:00 to 17:00hrs.
Based on their proposals, 10 youth will receive grants ranging from G$500,000 – G$1M, providing they successfully demonstrate to the judges why their business proposal should be funded within a period of eight minutes.

On the panel are members from the Ministry of Finance; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Master Class Institute, Rosh Khan; Executive Member of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), Eric Phillips; Officer in Charge of the Small Business Bureau (SBB), Gillian Edwards and CEO of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development Limited (IPED), Ramesh Persaud.

On Day One, presentations will also come from Ministers of Government, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

Meanwhile, young people are advised to look out for the opening ceremony of National Youth Week which will be held on May 20 at D’Urban Park, following a grand Youth Rally and Parade.

Participants in the parade will assemble at Parliament Building for 13:30hrs and begin the procession towards D’Urban Park at 14:00hrs.
Then, on May 21, the youth of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will contribute to discussions on youth issues and challenges facilitated by policy makers and other representatives, at the Lichas Hall in McKenzie at 10:00hrs.
A Career and Training Fair will follow at the Mahaicony Technical Institute in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on May 22, at 10:00hrs where some 34 organisations will be represented.

On May 25, sensitisation will commence on social issues such as drug and violence, suicide, mental health and domestic violence through an Art Expression in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), at the Youth Choice building and this will be followed by painting sessions at the market square.
Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will also be visited during the Youth Week for a Department on Youth Exhibition at the West Demerara Secondary School, on May 28.

Youth and other interested persons are being asked to contact the Department of Youth, should they require additional information about the aforementioned activities.