THE Chinese Embassy in Guyana on Thursday hosted the awards ceremony for 16 students who participated in the fifth annual China-Guyana Friendship Youth Leadership Development (YLD) Competition.
The competition focused on four areas: a physical challenge; a community-based project; a critique of a work of art and conducting an oral presentation. Furthermore, it aimed to strengthen academic, civic and soft skills in Grades Eight, Nine and 10 pupils, and is supported by the Unit of Allied Arts under the Ministry of Education.
Director of the Unit of Allied Arts Nicholas Fraser disclosed that each Regional Education Office was responsible for ensuring the students were shortlisted from various areas, looking at academic performance, leadership qualities, strong character elements, self-control, co-operation, sociability and social action, as well as the students’ participation in public and society. These were evaluated by both the headteachers and education officers in each region.
This fifth edition of the competition used a “positive youth-development strategy,” containing elements for forging positive relationships among youths, their families, schools and wider communities, ensuring that academic, social and technical skills in students were strengthened.
Offering remarks, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO- Administration) at the Ministry of Education Tiffany Harvey said this competition gave young Guyanese an opportunity to challenge themselves, express their ideas and discover their potential.
“Secondly, it strengthens cultural understanding and friendship by creating meaningful opportunities for young people from Guyana, China and other parts of the world, I’m sure, to learn about each other’s culture, traditions, and experiences,” she said.
The DCEO told the participants that whether they are receiving an award or not, their participation itself is an achievement.
Ms Harvey affirmed, “I am sure each of those persons will have learned so much from that period being a part of the competition. Continue to learn, to lead, and continue to build bridges of friendship.”
Expressing gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for its continued commitment to strengthening the friendship and co-operation between China and Guyana, the DCEO said that China’s support helps to create opportunities that leave a lasting impact on the next generations of Guyanese.
Meanwhile, China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang told the students that they are the future of the China-Guyana relations.
Ambassador Yang Yang stated that both nations attach great importance to education and the overall development of the youth.
“This competition is designed to discover and nurture young talent for Guyana’s future, while carrying forward the friendship between our two countries from generation to generation,” she said adding, “The remarks by Director Fraser and the stories shared by all the winners have shown us that the most valuable part of this competition is not the ranking or the topic, but the growth and insights you have gained along the way.”
China’s Ambassador noted that Guyana is presently on the cusp of rapid development and expressed hope that the young students will eventually see themselves as young ambassadors for the future of the China-Guyana friendship.
