The Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons With Disabilities & Youth; through the Youth Affairs Division, held a youth symposium on Thursday, 27th September 2018, at the Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown.
The Symposium was held under the theme “Youth – alternative employment opportunities for sustainable development.” In addressing the gathering, the Officer in charge of the Youth Affairs Division, Ms. Ena Walters, provided an overview of the Division, while looking ahead at developmental plans for youth development.
Head table left to right: Assistant Youth Officer and Moderator Mrs. Gwenneth Anthony, Officer in Administrative Control at Youth Division Ms. Ena Walters, Hon. Frederick Stephenson Minister of National Mobilisation, Rep of the Embassy of the ROC Taiwan – First Secretary Constance Hu.
While highlighting the achievements made by the Division over the years, sitting at her back, and who played the National Anthem and provided musical renditions during the opening ceremony, were a group of young men and one young lady, who are a part of the pilot project of the Ministry, through the YES programme - the band apprentice. In her recognition of the youngsters, Ms. Walters alluded to the current media blaggards of youth deviance. The youngsters were enlisted in the programme in February of this year, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was signed between the Ministry of National Mobilisation (Youth Affairs Division), and the Ministry of National Security (RSVGPF Band), which will cater for providing youngsters with guidance and musical exposure, with the hope of being Officers of the RSVGPF after the completion of the programme.
Hon. Frederick Stephenson, continued to show support for the programmes of his Ministry, and pledged his government’s continued investment into the youth development work. He further thanked the Embassy of the Republic Of China, Taiwan, for their continued support to the YES programme, which has been in existence for some 17 years, and has seen tremendous growth in programming and new initiatives, that would support the youth development landscape of the Vincentian society.
As a component of the opening ceremony the Band Apprentice was used to provide rendition of the National Anthem of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and musical renditions during the opening ceremony. This was met with great excitement and applause by the audience and the Head table, as they played melodiously to those gathered.
YES Band apprentice with Instructor Cpl 55 Derrick Daniel of the RSVGPF Band and Communications Officer MONM Mr. Philcol Jeffers
Following the opening ceremony a panel discussion was held that looked at the theme as the main topic. Five young presenters provided the gathering with an opportunity to interrogate their current practices and look at ways in which they can become involved to enhance their own marketability.
Left to right: Information technology expert Sean Samuel, Sports expert – Dr. Kishore Shallow, Agri-business Mr. Kazembe Miguel, Small Business and Financing expert Ms. Keisha Phillips and Entrepreneur Ms. Crystal Olivier(not in photo)
SOURCE: Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disability and Youth
