The Anguilla National Youth Council continues its efforts to develop the capacity of the organisaiton to fulfill its mandate. From the 8 - 9 March 2008, members of the Executive Committee, and a subgroup from the general membership, were involved in a retreat at the Anguilla Great House.

Participants in Session (Photo by Eduardo Samuel)

The main focus of the retreat was to further develop the strategic plan, redraft the constitution and to improve group dynamics among the Executive Committee. Additionally attendees were exposed to presentations designed to improve their communication and meeting management skills.

The retreat was built on work accomplished in preliminary sessions held in February that were facilitated by Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Caribbean Centre, Mr. Henry Charles, and Mr. Huey Cadette, President of the Tobago Youth Council.

Facilitators at this retreat included Mrs. Ijahnya Christian of Regency Consultancy, who is working with the Council on developing the Strategic Plan, and Mr. Jean Charles, a legal draftsperson at the Attorney General’s Chambers, who is working with the Council to redraft the constitution. Sessions were also conducted by Dr. Oluwakemi M. Linda Banks on Leadership and Team Building; Ms. Hyacinth Augustine, Programme Officer, Youth at the Department of Youth and Culture on effective communication skills as well as Ms. Keria Hughes, Commonwealth Regional Youth Caucus representative on team building.

L-R Olufunmike Banks Devonish Rodi Richardson and Patriese Richards Participating in Exercise (Photo by Eduardo Samuel)

The new strategic plan will see the Council operating in three priority areas: Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening, Youth Empowerment and Youth Mainstreaming. Technical support for the process has been facilitated by the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Youth and Culture.

It is expected that the strategic plan and constitution will be brought before a General Meeting of the Council for ratification in early April.

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