A representative from the Anguilla National Youth Council was requested to attend the 2015 Caribbean Region – Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CR – CYMM). Clemvio Hodge, PRO of the ANYC & CARICOM Youth Ambassador, was chosen to attend the meeting in Antigua from 25 – 27 May. He accompanied Mr. Bren Romney, Director of Youth and Culture, Anguilla.
On arriving in Antigua, he attended his first meeting at Tradewinds Hotel with fellow Youth Ambassadors from across the region. This meeting facilitated the introduction of all youth delegates, the sensitization of delegates as to what the meeting will entail and the separation of persons into 5 working groups.
On 26 May, the Sir Vivian Alexander Cricket Stadium was the venue for the Youth Meeting and Directors Meeting. Ambassador Hodge participated in the Youth Meeting where numerous speakers presented. All presenters were inspiring and displayed their passion for youth development. Later that day, the Directors and Youth meetings were merged and youth delegates were given the opportunity to discuss with the Directors of Youth from around the region, he took this opportunity to make recommendations.
The Opening Ceremony of the Youth Ministers Meeting was held that evening. The Opening Ceremony began with the sweet sounds of steel pan music by the Antigua Baptist Youth and the procession of flags. Numerous speakers and performers took the stage including Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, who motivated the youth delegates when he said “…I had the opportunity to advance within the private sector and became a senior bank manager in my 20s and by my early 30s I was a minister of government”. These words show that age doesn’t define your success.
The Ministers Meeting, 29 May, was filled with passionate drivers of youth development across the region. Ministers spoke on their various experiences and efforts in implementing youth policy in their counties and spoke highly about the youths need for a seat in decision making. It was also exciting to note that some of the ministers present were still youth themselves. Ambassador Hodge had to leave the ministers meeting early to prepare for travel back to Anguilla.
This was a great opportunity for networking with Caribbean leaders and youth advocates and the time was used wisely to interact and learn from them. Young persons of Anguilla are encouraged to pursue their dreams. Youth workers have the responsibility of creating an environment in which these dreams can become reality. A great thank you must be extended to the Department of Youth & Culture and the Government of Anguilla for making this trip possible.
– Contributed by the Anguilla National Youth Council
