By Wendella Davidson

A “SAY YES” campaign which seeks to provide a forum and guidance for youths to formulate solutions to socials ills affecting them was launched at the Bel Air Gardens residence of British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn on Thursday.
The campaign supported by the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Youth, is the brainchild of School of the Nations Director, Dr Brian O’Toole, who in late January 2019 was attacked by a lone gunman at his Bel Air Promenade, Georgetown home.

Addressing a gathering that included High Commissioner Quinn and his wife Wendy and Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, Dr O’Toole described the attack on him as horrible. The incident was carried by The Daily Mail of London; newspapers in the Caribbean as well as Caribbean newspapers in Toronto and New York.

Following the attack, threats directed at ‘Nations’ spread to Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High School and the University of Guyana.

According to Dr O’Toole, he is 95 per cent certain that the attack on him was related to the “horrible” video game `Fortnite’. Only recently, Prince Harry has started a campaign in the UK to have the game banned.

Instead of focusing on the negative, he said the Yes Campaign aims to significantly focus on solutions that will aid change of thinking of persons such as the 17-year-old shooter who tried to kill him.

The campaign seeks to help youths affected by drugs, alcohol, violence and bullying, among other social ills, through art, music and drama.

It has also attracted support from the Ministry of Education, Mattai’s Supermarket, Hand in Hand Insurance and Republic Bank.

The one-year campaign entails a series of workshops and will target children, not only from city schools but also from the outlying regions.

High Commissioner Quinn, in brief remarks, lauded the campaign, pointing out that it is a platform to promote good and what is right.

Minister Norton on his part noted his appreciation of the direction taken by Dr O’Toole and team in seeking to address issues affecting young people in society.

On that score, he urged full support for the initiative.

A musical rendition by Fifth Graders at School of the Nations and an interpretive dance by Sixth Formers interspersed the event.