A project aimed at nurturing the best ideas from the young people of the country was launched on Monday by the government.
A release from the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport said that the goals of the Youth Innovation Project of Guyana (YIPoG) are to maintain a high level of competition for the best ideas from young Guyanese. YIPoG also aims to provide a healthy framework in which this competition functions and engages partners locally, regionally and internationally.
The project aims to recognise and support the production of outstanding project proposals and initiatives from all over the country that foster a green economy in the context of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics and Spirituality (STEAMS).
“It is our firm belief that the Youth Innovation project will create an enabling environment where our youth will be able to realise their true potential; thus, playing their part in fostering social cohesion, helping to protect our environment, forging economic prosperity, and applying best practices for a green economy of this beautiful country of ours,” stated Minister in the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry.
The release said that the project is considered the flagship programme for the Department of Youth for the year 2017.
While pledging the Government’s commitment to creating an environment that allows competition and innovation to bloom, the Minister noted that competitive ideas are those that exhibit a strong sense of social responsibility.
Aside from those gathered at the Umana Yana, Monday’s launch saw participation of youth from all ten administrative regions via the internet; thanks to the E- Governance Unit.
While presenting the overview of the YIPoG, the Project Consultant, Bridget Hinds explained that the Ministry of Education espouses STEAMS as the crucible in which innovative ideas and a pioneering spirit may find form and function.
Notwithstanding the global reach of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activity, the Ministry plans to expand the framework so as to address the urgency of needs in Guyana. It is anticipated that the Arts and Spirituality aspects will address the burgeoning criminal activity towards and by our youth, the release said.
