Youth Month 2024 took off with a bang – as the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports launched the event, at the Constitution Park, on April 5.
The organisers state the month-long extravaganza will be filled with exciting activities across the island.
This week, Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir updated reporters on the status of the activities planned, so far, to celebrate this annual youth activity. He noted that it will be a “very important youth month” with interesting initiatives to be rolled out.
“We are finally going to see …the progress made on our Youth Policy. The Youth Policy is a document that will guide how we develop our young people over the next couple years,” declared Casimir.
In addition to the launch of the Youth Programme, he said, “we are looking to ensure that we have a Sports Policy for Saint Lucia …and it’s a really huge document that will guide how we develop our sporting prowess over the next couple years.”
The minister said the Youth Month activities will coincide with the final launching of ‘Skills758’. “It is an app that is geared towards getting all the skills on island available to Saint Lucians in search of employees, also in the OECS and the rest of the world.”
Casimir says the department is excited about this latest development. Other events on schedule will include the highly anticipated Youth Parliament debate and other related activities across the island.
Director of Youth Development, Rohan Lubon, appeals to the public to show their support and celebrate the vibrant energy of the youth of Saint Lucia.
“We are in the month of April where we celebrate our youth and I would like to encourage everyone to come and support us,” he said.
Amidst the month-long celebrations, Lubon stated that the department has been in contact with entities such as the Youth Economy Agency (YEA), the Youth Council, and Rise Saint Lucia.
“You are in for a packed month (of activities), so come out and support our youth,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister Casimir is optimistic that government’s policies will continue to enhance the development of the nation’s youth.
He reiterated that the ministry “has been working on a Youth Policy for a number of years now”.
Added Casimir: “We are looking forward to continue to celebrate our young people …in the region. And recently, at the Caribbean Youth Awards, Saint Lucia was able to cop at least four awards, which shows that the rest of the region respects the Youth Development thrust in Saint Lucia.”
The minister hopes for “more and better in the coming year.”
Among highlights for the Youth Month celebrations will be the 758 Skills App road show, scheduled for April 13 and 14; and a Youth Retreat at the Babonneau Multi-Purpose Centre on April, 27. – R.A.