A 16-member steering committee is assisting with identifying 30 youth leaders for a project aimed at addressing the challenges of inadequate youth participation in government, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a press release on Friday.
Participants chosen for inclusion have to be between the ages of 18-25 years and must already be involved in an organisation that addresses some pertinent development issues relating to their region. They must also be familiar with their country and be able to represent young people from all levels of society.
The Youth Empowerment Inclusion and Reconciliation Project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The project is to be executed by a committee that comprises representatives of three ministries (Local Government, Culture, Youth and Sport and Finance,) UNDP, the Regional Democratic Councils of Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 and Youth Challenge Guyana (which will represent civil society groups.)
The group held its first official meeting on Thursday in the boardroom of the local government ministry for the project which is also expected to provide youths with the opportunity to prepare for leadership roles in their community.
In attendance at the meeting were Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud who has oversight for the project and Permanent Secretaries, Collin Croal and Alfred King of the Local Government and Culture, Youth and Sport ministries respectively and Policy Advisor, UNDP George Wachira. The latter three sit on the committee.
Minister Persaud praised the partnership forged with the UNDP and noted that the ministry has benefited from a very beneficial relationship with the agency as the ministry has been able to garner yearly support from the agency for the execution of a number of programmes relating to empowerment and capacity building and the delivery of the services that have brought joy to the lives of many.
Permanent Secretary King, in outlining the expectations of the projects, said at the end the 30 youths will be empowered to participate meaningfully in local governance and become involved in its structure.
The youths will be trained in seven relevant skills area with the use of social media and ICT platforms to facilitate interaction.
Wachira said that the UNDP’s involvement in the project is aimed at assisting the Guyana Government achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by ensuring youth participation in development. Empowering of youths ensure their participation in and boosts their understanding of decision-making and in so doing guarantee meaningful contribution to the development of their communities and country, he added.
