Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5620/-1/135/
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Commonwealth Plan Of Action For Youth Empowerment Launched in Anguilla
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The Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre, in association with the Ministry of Social Development and its Department of Youth and Culture, launched the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE) on Tuesday, January 22 at the Teacher’s Resource Centre Auditorium.
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L-R: Lennox Proctor, Sherri-Anne Roberts, Henry Charles, Rodney Rey and Keria Hughes
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The PAYE is the guiding framework for Commonwealth cooperation in youth affairs, underpins the work of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) and serves as the model strategic plan for ministries of youth affairs. The PAYE is a framework document for governmental, inter-governmental and civil society action for and with young people (aged 15-29). PAYE attempts to specifically contribute by stimulating an assets-based approach to youth development by: recognising young people as an asset to their societies, building on young people’s capacities and agencies to overcome poverty and by engaging young people in decision-making as partners in democracy and development.
The Regional Youth Caucus Representative, Ms. Keria Hughes, chaired the launching ceremony. She welcomed the Director of Youth and Culture, Mr. Lennox Proctor, to give opening remarks. He said, “the Department of Youth and Culture is pleased to organize this event. This comes at a crucial time in Anguilla as we develop and implement strategies that will channel and direct the energies of youth in a positive manner.” Following his remarks, Anthea Roach recited a poem entitled Deepest Fear before Ms. Hughes invited the Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre, Mr. Henry Charles, to give the feature presentation. Mr. Charles began his presentation by mentioning that out of the 17 countries which are members of the CYP in the Caribbean, Anguilla is the leader in terms of strategic action implementation. He went on to explain that the CYP is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat and focuses on many aspects such as entrepreneur training, financial literacy and providing capacity building for persons employed in youth development positions. The CYP also assists with strategic plans for governments and organizations such as the National Youth Council in Anguilla.
Mr. Charles further explained the necessity of PAYE. When one assesses what is happening in the Commonwealth in terms of the many challenges faced, the impact on youth is quite disproportionate. Young people must be involved in a very intimate way with the development process in all developing nations. The PAYE initiative was made when heads of government from the Commonwealth realized that there needed to be a proper strategic way for all countries to move forward with youth development and to have something in place to serve as a resource for all youth-based organizations.
There are thirteen action points that were described in the presentation that PAYE highlights such as: develop and implement measures to promote the economic enfranchisement of young people; strengthen social support systems and collaboration between key stakeholders in youth empowerment; strengthen ministries, departments and legal frameworks for youth affairs; promote the full participation of young people in decision making; promote positive national role models and foster young people’s self-esteem; take action for equality between young women and men and for youth in special circumstances; promote a peaceful and democratic environment in which human rights flourish; provide quality education for all; improve access to information and communications technology; promote health, development and values through sports and culture; engage young people to protect the environment; professionalize the youth work sector; and monitor and evaluate progress in youth development.
When finished, Mr. Charles handed three copies of the PAYE to Mr. Rodney Rey, Permanent Secretary of Education, Sports, Youth and Culture. Mr. Rey was quite excited about the initiative and said, “Mr. Charles, we are pleased to have you here and for giving us moral support in our endeavours to implement this programme. Today, in Anguilla, we have begun the process of institutionalizing and professionalizing youth work. We are cognizant of youth themselves and other youth organizations but we lack professional expertise and strategic plans so this comes at a very opportune time for us as we now endeavour to make our own strategic plan. We will use the PAYE as a guide and framework for our own strategy. There are two key aspects of PAYE that are paramount: recognition of young people as assets and the need to involve all stakeholders in a genuine approach to youth empowerment. It needs to be real and without lip service. I am pleased this morning that we have good attendance from youth and government representatives as this means we care. I am excited about the future and look forward to discussions on youth empowerment over the next few weeks and months.”
The public was then treated to an amazing performance by Roxanne Webster, Anguilla’s Youth Calypso champion, as she sung “I’m concerned.” She received an overwhelming applause for her conscious lyrics and presentation. Members of the public were then invited to make a few comments. The Honourable Attorney General Mr. Willem Bourne spoke about how he began his career in youth endeavours. It taught him how to debate, speak in public and use proper etiquette. He said, “Do not limit yourself to what you think you can achieve, education is the key to your success.” Mr. Timothy Hodge, Director of Social Security also commended the work of the youth department and agreed that youth is not only vital to the Social Security Board, but Anguilla’s imminent future. The ceremony closed with remarks from Sherri-Anne Roberts, President of the National Youth Council.