TWENTY-two secondary school students were recognised for their exceptional leadership skills and innovative ideas at the Guyana-China Friendship Youth Leadership Development Competition awards ceremony. The event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy on Friday afternoon, celebrating the bright future of youth leadership in Guyana.

Charge d’Affaires Huang Rui of the Chinese Embassy highlighted the continued strong diplomatic ties between Guyana and China, emphasising the importance of education in fostering development. Rui stated that the Chinese Embassy remains committed to supporting the competition, which encourages young leaders to express themselves and contribute positively to Guyana’s future.

“We will continue to sponsor this event to inspire youth leaders to become the hope of the nation,” Rui remarked.

The ceremony coincided with the Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year, Year of the Snake), and Rui reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to partnering with Guyana to provide opportunities for secondary school students. He also expressed his support for President Irfaan Ali’s vision of ‘One Guyana’, pledging to back future educational and cultural initiatives.

In an engaging interactive session, Rui posed questions to students and parents, rewarding correct answers with backpacks as tokens of appreciation.

The competition featured 22 winners, with two top students selected from each of the 11 education districts, which included Georgetown as a separate entity from the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Each winner received: A trophy, US$1,000 and a gift bag with tokens from the Chinese Embassy in Guyana.

The event was hosted by Political Officer, Qin Yangyiran, and included poems, testimonials, cultural dances, and reflections from students, making it a memorable celebration of youth leadership and talent.

Deputy Chief Education Officer, Marti De Souza, representing Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, praised the competition for providing a powerful platform for youth engagement, creativity, and leadership.

“This competition fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and resilience—qualities essential for global partnerships and leadership,” De Souza stated.

De Souza emphasised that the competition nurtures a sense of community, innovation, and vision, enabling young people to solve real-world problems while showcasing their talents.

Nicholas Fraser, Head of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Education, provided a brief overview of the competition’s objectives, which targeted four key areas: Building positive community relations; Developing technical and artistic skills; Encouraging innovative problem-solving; and
Executing impactful community-based projects.

Fraser explained that the competition empowered students to serve as community leaders, fostering a sense of responsibility and moral values. The participants were encouraged to engage in school activities, sports, artistic pursuits, and community service, contributing positively to their communities.

“These new leaders have exemplified moral values and community service, making them deserving winners of this competition,” Fraser noted.

The awards ceremony marked the conclusion of the 2024 competition, which involved secondary school students from all 10 regions of Guyana. Two representatives from each region were selected to participate, highlighting the nationwide impact of the event.

The Guyana-China Friendship Youth Leadership Development Competition continues to strengthen international partnerships, inspiring young leaders to build a brighter future for Guyana.