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UPDATE: Ideas of expat groups may be considered by Youth Policy Committee
This is a according to Chairperson of the Youth Policy Committee, Ms Drusilla Fahie.
The 10-man Youth Policy was unveiled yesterday October 29, 2012 at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Conference Room.
When questioned by a reporter if the Committee would also seek to get the input of expat groups, Ms Fahie said “If there is any, yes sir” and when asked if she was certain she said “If there is a need”, but noted that there were not any immediate plans to meet with expatriate groups.
Among the task of the newly formed Youth Policy Committee is to review and update the draft 1996 youth policy and and so doing must solicit the sentiment and vision of a cross section of young people in the Territory in an effort to create a policy that would guide programmes and plans to foster youth development, exposure and education.
The draft policy is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Culture in December.
The creation of the Youth Policy Committee, according to the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, is Government’s commitment and practice towards ensuring opportunities for the young population of the Virgin Islands, available to create enhanced living conditions. It is also in keeping with Government’s recognition that the youth are the seeds that will help the Territory advance towards its true and full potential thus, providing opportunities that allow the youth to determine their own fate while receiving adequate attention is of paramount importance.
The 10-man committee, it said, will review and update the draft 1996 youth policy while taking into consideration other legislation which pertains to children and young people. Among other areas, the new youth policy will address human rights and identify the effects of cultural values on youth behaviour.
Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, who has oversight for sports, impressed on the Committee that it’s task was not a small one. “I know that you guys are built for it and I anticipate that you will help bring along your peers from throughout the Virgin Islands so that the final policy aptly reflects the sentiment and vision of young people in this Territory.”
Hon. Walwyn also said in the Ministry of Education and Culture, on all its Boards, he has made an effort to have young adults seated at the table. “With the development of a national youth policy, it will provide a systemic approach to the inclusion of our youth in all our planning.”
It was also stated by the Minister that the intention is to also re-introduce the National Youth Council, which he said would help to ensure that there is steady youth representation throughout the islands and ensure that the youth policy is a living policy.
“A National Youth Council is integral to the advancement of the youth policy and thus the advancement of young people in the Virgin Islands. With the Council and the Policy, I anticipate that young people will feel a greater sense of representation, worth and attachment to working towards the development of the Virgin Islands.”
The Committee is headed by Ms Drusilla Fahie, who said the committee is made up of energetic and vibrant individuals of varying backgrounds and professions, witnesses representation from all of the Sister Islands, thus ensuring that the final document is representative of the youth of the entire Virgin Islands collectively.
“Recognising that this policy is Government’s commitment towards ensuring good living conditions and opportunities for the youth population of our Territory, we have pledged our full commitment to the task at hand and are prepared to go the extra mile to fulfil our requirements.”
She also said if we believe in the popular cliché which says that the youths are the leaders of the future, then the development of the Virgin Islands National Youth Policy must be welcomed with open arms as the document would provide a clear pathway for youth in the Virgin Islands to inherit the leadership of the country.
Meanwhile, the committee would be hosting public consultations and information gathering sessions with the youth population on the main island of Tortola and the Sister Islands as well. Launching a facebook page and visiting various television and radio shows are also part of the committee’s mandate in the up-coming weeks.
Others present at the unveiling ceremony included Acting Director, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) Mr Patrick Harrigan, Assistant Director of Youth Affairs Ms Avelinda Freeman and Deputy Chair, Youth Policy Committee Sharie deCastro.
Other persons on the Committee are Melvin Mitch Turnbull, Theodore James, Bevin George, Lauren Welch (Virgin Gorda), Jessica Callwood (JVD), Xavyrna Samuels Fahie, Sabrina Matthew and Choy Levons (Anegada).
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32 Responses to “UPDATE: Ideas of expat groups may be considered by Youth Policy Committee”
So you look at that picture and see a bunch of uneducated people there? You must be @#$%* smoking boss man! Your hate and small mindedness will be to your detriment!!! How is this about VIP and NDP?
Peace
youths need a firm role in helping to revitalising the agricultural sector for sustainability, taking it from "Agri-Culture to Agri-Business" and providing strategies for increasing agricultural production for food and nutrition security and competitiveness in the BVI
VINO you sure ya research this one good. Avelinda is what? Ayo aint for real. this girl went to school to study something with land, how she get here.? Another square peg in round hole. Patrick need help I agree but you guys just made matters worse. And by the way when ayo had plan to tell the taxpayers about this grand move. What is done in darkness will come to light.
Imagine you can't get along with your supervisor so you get a promotion to supervise or be a frig to others. Boy a tell ya only in Tola. What the hell she know about the youths that will move this department forward. Everytime education do something good then they take and do some S**t to negate it. Av... needs to go back and finish her degree instead or trying to be what she is not.
We are not important to Mr. Walwyn, as he is proud to say every youth that leaves his office leaves in tears. Neither does he care. I wish Alvera Maduro -Caines was the Minister of Education instead of this (r00k.