The Alliance for Change’s youth arm, Youth for Change (YFC) conducted its inaugural Youth Conference at the Ocean View Convention Centre, at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday 8th May, under the theme “Making it happen now!” Over 500 energetic and expectant young people representing all of Guyana’s Regions blended together in a manner never before seen in this country, and engaged in discussions on issues affecting them and meaningfully contributed in identifying mechanisms that could be employed to solve those issues.
The Convention’s opening was commenced by the talented Lisa Punch singing the National Anthem, followed by a session of African and Indian drumming, and an Amerindian Heritage dance. Thereafter, the feature address was superbly delivered by the young Jamaican Senator Basil Waite and this brought the participants to their feet on his conclusion. Senator Waite’s presentation was followed by a brilliant lecture on the development of Guyana’s political economy by Dr. Tarron Khemraj.
Youths were able to shed the ties and dividing distinctions of ethnicity, politics, and socio-economic circumstances and share views on how they believe Guyana can develop into its true potential of being a prosperous and functional state for the benefit of all. President of the AFC’s youth arm, Allister Collins, reported that the Convention was successful for it achieved the set objective of creating a neutral platform for youth representatives from across Guyana to discuss honestly, and openly, issues affecting them.
The successful staging of the Convention symbolizes the dawning of a new era for politics in Guyana, as it frontally engaged sensitive topics and facilitated open discussion with a degree of clarity and honesty that reinforced the relevance for this initiative. In the months ahead, the representatives of the Youth For Change (YFC) will travel throughout Guyana to engage youths in meetings and symposia to hear first-hand from them, what issues affect them the most and their views as to how these can be addressed.
YFC wishes to thank all those who contributed to a successful Convention either through giving of their time, resources or otherwise, and by attending the event.
For more information contact: 226-0181
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