and Ms. Kerniel Richardson-Chung
A Press Conference held at the Department of Youth and Culture, on Monday, September 24th, revealed that Anguilla is embarking on a completely new and dynamic youth policy that would guide and direct national youth-related development thirty years into the future. The Press Conference was held primarily to launch the fourth Annual Youth Week 2018.
According to the Director of the Department of Youth & Culture, Mr. Bren Romney, “Anguilla in 2003 adopted a National Youth Policy. That policy has served its purpose over the years, and I am very pleased and proud to say that government has kept its promises relative to it. Literally, government has, over the years, honored every program and policy position that it took in that policy.
“However, the policy is now outdated and it no longer adequately addresses the challenges and concerns that our young people are facing today. We are, therefore, looking beyond that policy for we realize that it is time now for the creation of a new youth policy for Anguilla that will take us well into the future. The theme for this year’s Youth Week, then, is “Vision 2048: Charting the Way Forward for Youth Development”. We refer to 2048 because we are projecting 30 years forward, and with our new youth policy we are planning for the next generation.
“The new policy would answer questions pertinent to youth affairs such as: Where do we see Anguilla and its youth in 2048? What do we hope to accomplish in the area of youth development by 2048? What do we hope to accomplish for, and with, our young people by 2048? We must address these and other concerns. Any country that thinks that youth development should happen in a vacuum, where government dictates everything, is sadly still in the dark ages. Young people are very dynamic, energetic, creative and innovative, and they can lead the process. We just need to facilitate them and to give them the resources that they would need.”
Mr. Romney made mention of the fact that government is providing a significant contribution towards the creation of this new policy by supplying the necessary personnel. In addition, he mentioned that UNICEF is partnering with the Government of Anguilla to provide funding of US$60,000.00 earmarked for the policy project. Besides, he noted that the Commonwealth Secretariat will be contributing funds of up to US$60,000.00.
Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley, Services Planner in the Ministry of Social Development, will be assigned as Coordinator for the policy project. Mrs. Bradley stated: “As the Ministry of Social Development, we take critical interest in the youth engaging themselves in the development of this new policy. We believe in the true empowerment of youth who are the main stakeholders in this policy exercise. This year, this engagement is significant because the youth will chart the way forward not only for today, or tomorrow, but as far ahead as 2048.
“It is our mandate and our responsibility to lay out the work for the involvement of our young people in true partnership for the positive development of the nation.
“Apart from the Youth Week, that is so critical, we must make sure that we have a celebration of youth in a tangible way so that they can take charge with a true sense of responsibility – taking ownership for their own policy. In essence, we are giving them the stick and they will chart the way forward. By fully engaging the youth, we are making a start and a continuation of things to come. In effect, we are giving them the mantle as our future leaders.”
The 4th Annual Youth Week kicked on Monday, September 24th, with the abovementioned Press Conference. The week runs from Monday, September 24th, to Saturday, October 6th. A full schedule of activities is presented elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.
A special feature of the week will be a two-day National Conference of Youth and Development which will be held on Tuesday, October 2nd,and Wednesday, October 3rd,at La Vue Boutique Hotel. There, a select number of youth will be in attendance – as well as representatives of governmental and non-governmental entities involved in youth work. Another interesting event of Youth Week will be the 4th Annual Youth Awards Ceremony slated for the last evening, on Saturday, October 6th, at 6:00 p.m.
