Two events took place last week with focus on young people in our society, namely, the Sixth Annual National Conference on Youth and Development, and the 23rd Year Five Graduation Ceremony of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. The former was to discuss the issues affecting young people then come up with proposals and recommendations that could inform Government policy — and the latter was to celebrate the achievements of young persons who had successfully completed the secondary education program, many doing so with distinction. Both events play an important role in our national development process and must be encouraged.
I do feel a sense of shame for not attending the National Conference on Youth and Development despite having a plausible reason for not being there. Because while I may have only been a spectator, it is always refreshing to hear firsthand the interventions from youngsters in our community on issues affecting their lives. Fortunately, the various media provided the opportunity for excellent coverage and reporting on what transpired. The final wrap up in the House of Assembly is an event that I have been privileged to participate in as a Minister of Government over the years — because it provides an excellent opportunity for face-to-face exchanges between young people and their elected officials in a formal setting designed for that purpose. Based on the findings that were presented on this occasion, I believe that once again the young people were able to capture the issues of the period and come up with some very persuasive recommendations. In keeping with their enthusiasm in presenting their positions I would expect the Government to be equally responsive.
What is not at all surprising, in the nature of the proposals put forward by the Conference, is the focus on the prevailing environment of crime and violence among youth in our communities and in particular its preponderance among young males. Indeed, I am happy that one of the main architects of the AUF proposal for a national strategic programme for dealing with these issues, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, was a keynote speaker at the opening of the Conference and would have been able to bring that frame of reference to the discussions. This is exactly what we (the AUF) had hoped would be the kind of forum to ventilate these matters, namely, a forum which is non-partisan and national in orientation. And having read the recommendations of the Anguilla National Youth Council (ANYC), I feel confident that things are heading in the right direction.
I believe that it would be worthwhile to reiterate some of the situational issues, which the AUF had identified in our proposal: –
1. Violence among sections ofAnguilla’s young men reached crisis proportions in recent years and has now descended into a major social crisis threatening the stability of the Anguillian community and economy, and demanding urgent and effective attention on a sustained basis.
2. There had been no major, immediate and sustained public cry of outrage and condemnation from public sector, private sector and civil society institutions to recent incidents.
3. There is no sustained and sustainable multidimensional plan developed, and under implementation or even in preparation, to tackle the gun violence crisis and the wider crisis among sections of Anguilla’s youth.
4. Youth gun violence is a national problem that should transcend party politics, and politicians should approach the issue from this point of view and seek to work with all politicians to collaborate in addressing it on a non-partisan, national basis.
5. It is apparent that there has been no comprehensive study of the causes, characteristics and frequency of gun violence, nor of a comprehensive programme to minimize or stamp out this criminal behavior that is perilous for Anguilla’s young men in particular and the society in general.
6. The gun violence not only threatens social peace and harmony, but also economic stability and growth, investor and business confidence.
7. The evolution and growth in gun violence coincide with the development of Anguilla’s economy since 1980, the erosion of traditional family values and relationships and the weakening of the family structure during the period.
8. Gun violence is an extreme form, but not the only form, of violence among male youth, there being other forms of violence among youth in general to consider, including bullying and abuse by older members of the Anguillian community.
9. Youth on youth violence, especially gun violence, is a symptom of deep-seated issues of social dysfunction and disequilibrium in Anguillian society.
10. A key long-term aim should be to keep the next generation from perpetuating the culture of youth gangs and violence directed against each other.
In reading the ANYC’s recommendations, I have noted that they all take into account the situational issues outlined above and propose a number of social, educational, behavioral, institutional and legislative responses. However, the response most central to the sustainability of social peace, harmony, economic stability and growth is training and education. All of the discussions regarding delinquency, criminality and unsocial conduct among young men seem to point to their shortcomings in education, particularly literacy, as well as the lack of proper parental guidance and training. The prisons are filled with such individuals and, after having been incarcerated, the system does not provide the training programmes required to lead to their successful rehabilitation. So education and training in both the AUF’s findings and those of the ANYC seem to identify their importance as a prevention as well as a cure for violence and criminality among young people, overwhelmingly males.
While it is important to be fully cognizant of the serious issues associated with male deviancy in our society, we must never believe that these constitute the majority of our young men. In fact the opposite is the case. There are many more young men who are conducting themselves in an acceptable manner than those who are displaying untoward behavior. It is in this context, that I want to celebrate the other event, namely, the 23rd Year Five Graduation Ceremony. We are often too ready to speak about the negative issues among young people and “paint all of them with the same broad brush”. Going to graduation exercises is always a refreshing experience in this regard and evokes a great sense of hope and promise for the future security and development of our national heritage. This ceremony was no different. In fact it seemed to represent a turning point in the performance of our education system, based on the examination results.
I was immediately “struck” by two things as I attended the graduation ceremony last week. Firstly, the fact that it started precisely on time, and secondly that the auditorium was packed to capacity. For me this made two points, namely, that the event was properly organized and that it was well supported by parents and other relatives. All of which augurs well for the future of the school and its students. But what made this graduation ceremony historic are two positive records, namely,it is the first time that as many boys as girls are registered into the Sixth Form programme, and it is also the first time that two boys (Cordane Richardson and Jose Vanterpool) received fifteen subjects at distinction level. And also noticeable, was the level of talent among the graduates as well as the willingness of the males in the class to participate enthusiastically in the musical and dramatic performances. It just seemed that despite all the negativity among young people this graduating class was different. Their theme: “Moving forward in the spirit of excellence” also seemed most appropriate.
The students were also well admonished by their keynote speaker, Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge, in a challenging address that included some famous adages for guidance, and with congratulatory remarks from their teachers, principal and the Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Baird. And young Jose Vanterpool delivered the valedictory speech with exceptional style, wit and emotion.
Coming back to the central issues in the response to the challenges facing our youth, namely, education and training, I would implore the Government to pay attention. The class of 2012 may be an excellent foundation on which to establish that architecture and the recommendations of the ANYC — a solid blueprint to follow. The graduates requested Omari (Banks) to perform his popular tune for their special occasion. I am sure that it was more than a childish fancy. For indeed it is sound advice, as we pursue these goals as a nation, to be confident in our resolve that it is “with faith the battle’s won!”
