Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank
Anthony has highlighted the importance of youth participation to society;
noting that they must be treated as invaluable resources and important partners
in national and regional development.
Addressing
the 22nd Caribbean Community Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD),
meeting today at the CARICOM Secretariat, Liliendaal, the Culture Minister
stated that while youths need to be integrated in the work of the Caribbean
Community, renewed commitment to the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme is also
necessary.
The two-day
meeting which was held under the theme, “Culture, Youth and Sport: Strategic
Repositioning for Human Development and Economic Growth” saw several Government
Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Regional and International
Institutions and Ambassadors gathered to iron-out important issues regarding
the future of youths.
“We need to redouble our efforts to address the
scourge of youth gangs, and violence across our region, and we will spend some
time discussing collaboratively approaches to addressing this issue…we also
need to ensure that physical education and sport is compulsory in our school
curriculum,” he told the Heads.
Dr. Anthony
in calling for a renewed commitment to the implementation of a new model for
CARIFESTA, said that while this will aid in the festival meeting the
expectations of artists and audients, it will also help to develop vibrant
culture and creative industries.
Once agreed
upon, the new model would be in keeping with the Strategic Plan written for the
festival in 2004 and which was only being implemented in parts.
Minister
Anthony in calling for renewed action in addressing the issue of free movement
of artists, cultural workers and sportspersons in the region, said that while
this will ensure hassle free travel; it will enable them to play an integral
role in promoting integration.
“We
now have an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and we need
to increase our efforts to realise the potential benefits for the artistic
community in CARICOM,” he said.
The
Surinamese Government is in the process of establishing a Regional Sports
Academy and while lauding this effort Minister Anthony expounded on the
importance of developing a Regional Sports Tourism Strategy which he |