THE Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) is preparing to celebrate its 61st anniversary on September 6, 2013 at time when the entity is rejuvenated and fully committed to the ideals that it stood for when its founders saw it necessary to establish the movement back in 1952. 

Chairman of the National Steering Committee, Omar Shariff said in a statement that today the PYO “continues its work with the aim of getting youths involved in the decision-making agenda of our great country. The PYO continues to labour for our leaders to respect the wishes of our people, for all Guyanese to enjoy a better standard of living and for all youth to have equal opportunities to employment and education.
DARK DAYS
As we celebrate this milestone accomplishment, we are reminded of the dark days when the PYO was banned and forced underground in October 1953. We recalled that our leaders then were forced to utilise names such as the Guiana Union of Democratic Youth, the Guiana Youth Movement and later the Guiana Union of Patriotic Youth as a result of the actions of the British who had then suspended the constitution 133 days after the PPP was elected to government.
Today, we are proud of our accomplishments as a political entity and a vocal arm of the People’s Progressive Party / Civic. We are proud that over the last 21 years, the ruling party, our party has worked feverishly to advance the lives of all Guyanese youth and people regardless of their political affiliation, race, religion, gender and social standing.
We are proud that former Presidents the late Cheddi and Janet Jagan supported our efforts throughout their respective tenures.
Additionally, we wish to thank former Presidents Samuel Hinds and Bharrat Jagdeo who continue to show respect to our positions, reasoning and cause while working with us to develop our country.
The PYO would also like to express our special appreciation to His Excellency, President, Donald Ramotar who remains fully supportive of our efforts. Comrade Ramotar has also assisted in injecting new energy and drive into our ranks while motivating to overcome all of our challenges. He is there side by side of our leaders as we embark on our various initiatives.
Today, we also remember all of the youth who died and scarified their lives for a brighter future for our party, our government and our country. Coming to mind immediately is Balram Khandi and Michael Forde. We will never let their struggles go in vain.
As we mark our anniversary, the PYO wishes to send a strong message to all Guyanese that we are here to stay and that we continue to rebuild, reorganise and re-unite our ranks with the aim of securing the gains made in our economy while struggling for a brighter future.
Our past was defined by struggle and sacrifice which has made us strong, and tomorrow we look forward to these concomitant struggles with eyes of victory.”