A NEW cohort of young influencers were, on Saturday, inducted into the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s (MHSSS) Young Influencers Programme 2024-2025.

The programme is ideal for young people interested in being a positive force behind change in the country; it supports youth who would like to give back to their communities and develop their interpersonal skills, network and connect with other young people.

The programme was founded by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, under the theme, ‘Sharing, Connecting, Influencing and Empowering.’ It is open to young men and women between the ages of 15 and 25 from diverse backgrounds in each of Guyana’s regions and runs for one year.

Young Influencers are not only able to meet and interact with like-minded youth from across Guyana but are also able to participate in international youth events, have a presence on multiple social media platforms to express their views, make a difference and volunteer in the ministry’s initiatives and programmes, and, most importantly, develop youth centred community projects.

In wishing the previous cohort well, Minister Persaud expressed the pride she felt in the awardees and commended them for their excellent work over the past year.

“This is a powerful platform and I have the greatest privilege of being able to not only conceptualise this platform for you, but have insight into your perspectives, your opinions, your views, and your thoughts on development for this beautiful land of ours.”

She stated that, more importantly, every batch has managed to build a family which extends beyond regional boundaries, cultural differences, religious differences, ethnic differences and one that is truly Guyanese.
The intention she noted, is to have a more united and formidable youthful cohort across the country so that the ministry can offer them the platform to be vocal and advocate for things they’d like to see happen in the country.

To the 2023-2024 cohort, Minister Persaud encouraged them to be different.

“We have the alumnus body, and that is where you will now migrate to, where you can work along with those who were there before you and work along with those who are now joining this platform so that we continue to build and grow and to be able to give to our land and our home and our country Guyana.”

She added, “This gives you new exposure, national exposure, and gives you the opportunity to really develop within yourself the kind of skillset that you can take with you throughout life, so life skills.”

Also speaking at the ceremony was Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) representative in Guyana, Lorena Solorzano-Salazar who highlighted the many opportunities available to the young influencers through IDB. She advised them to brainstorm and think on ideas, and create proposals for submission to the IDB.