A National Church Service to commemorate National Youth Week and Caribbean Youth Day was held on Sunday, September 28, at the Dominion Faith Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Youth and Culture.
Minister of Youth and Culture, Mr Jerome Roberts, noted that he had been delivering a number of formal addresses during National Youth Week and he credited his Permanent Secretary for working closely with him in this regard and other areas of work. “Behind me stands a very strong, able Permanent Secretary, Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett, and please give her a round of applause,” he told the large congregation. “This young lady stands behind the scenes ensuring that the Minister moves forward in the way he should, and therefore I recognise her efforts and those of all persons who continue to support me in this journey.”
Mr Roberts advised the young people that they should believe in themselves because they were special and different in their behaviour and attitude to others; and that they should not imitate others before understanding their true selves.
He went on: “Be all that you can be at all times; be yourself first of all; let your ways of life, habits and behaviour, speak for who you are as individuals. Be kind; gentle, loving and respectful at all times. Be bold in your achievements – you deserve it. Work towards and speak about it and show it. If you are going to be a true role model for others then your dress code should also speak that way.”
Ms Sherise Brooks, Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, congratulated the nominees and winners in the national awards ceremony. She also commended the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Youth and Culture for organising the various National Youth activities, as well as the awards ceremony, as a means of empowering the young people and celebrating their diverse talents and contributions.
She spoke to the young people about the importance of empowerment and urged them to have an open mind as they move forward in life and to work towards success.
Pastor Dexter Welcome, whose feature address was on open mindedness, urged the young people, among other things, to plan their lives and education properly in the face of various challenges; to focus on achieving as many of their positive goals as possible and to be good role models for other youth in Anguilla.
