— as National Youth Week 2018 launched

MINISTER of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton said youths have a critical role to play in transforming Guyana and pledged government’s support in fostering their development.

Addressing about 300 young people from across the 10 administrative regions who participated in the National Youth Rally that culminated at the D’Urban Park, Georgetown, the minister remarked, “Guyana has an impressive youth population”.

He added: “This government recognises that… this administration is aware of your worth as young people and as is evident, we are doing all that we can to nurture your development to give you that opportunity and to celebrate your achievements.”

Dr. Norton said many activities have been initiated and are being conceptualised to continue helping youth “realise their dreams”.

The importance of “youth work” is unmistakable, said Youth Director Melissa Carmichael, to ensure they are the best leaders of tomorrow and also the agents of change and development partners of the present.

Government, she said is working to facilitate this change.

“We need to ensure that young people across this great land are adequately and effectively empowered through training and awareness initiatives that will serve to empower, develop and enhance their skills, making them marketable and essentially putting them in a better position to make meaningful contributions in their personal and community development,” Carmichael said.

She noted that for major gains to be realised, much more work needs to be done to ensure careful planning, coordination and critical programmes and services that will ensure maximum results are achieved from the limited resources available.

National Youth Week 2018 is being observed under the theme: “Empowering young people to foster youth and community development through innovation.”

It began on Sunday with a march from the Parliament Building to D’Urban Park where the rally was held.

Youthful paramilitary organisations inclusive of scouts, majorettes, pathfinders, and a number of youth groups from across the 10 administrative regions, participated in the first event representing the cadre of young people poised to take charge of Guyana.

The week will continue with a host of activities geared at fostering youth development. A youth forum to discuss policies and youth issues will be held in Region 10 today.

Aside from this, there will be a Career Day fair at the Mahaicony Technical Institute, Region Five on Tuesday; a Youth Business Summit at Pegasus Hotel on May 24 and 25; and finally, an exhibition and display on May 27 in Region Three.