National Youth Policy

July 18, 2014 By GuyanaTimes

Guyana is desperately in need of a National Youth Policy that would respond to the challenges facing youth here, while creating opportunities for them to further transform their lives through equitable access to education, housing, health services and economic opportunities.

This policy is the missing link between the state of hopelessness that is hovering over youth and their ability to make more meaningful contributions to the growth and development of Guyana.

Any procrastination on the part of the Executive and Legislature in advancing such a policy is almost criminal. No excuse is sufficed to justify a delay in producing a hallmark policy that has the potential to tackle youth crime and violence, the needs of differently able youth, unemployment and social-ills.

As a matter of fact, the report of the Caricom Commission on Youth Development, “Eye on the Future: Invest in Youth Now for the Community tomorrow”, states that there is an urgent need for governments to respond to the school dropout rate which was at “a staggering height”.

It noted that youth unemployment and joblessness remain high, at a rate of 23 per cent, when compared to other developed countries. It advised too that urgent focus should be placed on the involvement of youth at all levels of the decision making strata, through a well-formulated policy.

There have not been much statistics available about the circumstances under which youth exist here, and it is hoped that the just concluded National Population Census will dedicate parts of its overall report to this area.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has promised to deliver such a policy to thousands of Guyanese youth time and time again, but is yet to do so.

There can be no rational excuse for the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry failing to produce a document it has been working on for more than six years.

It should be noted that the finalisation and consultations of the National Development Strategy, the National Competiveness Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy, together, took less time, compared to the National Youth Policy which is still incomplete.

In 2011, the Minister announced the commencement of countrywide consultations on the document to meet the changing socioeconomic circumstances facing Guyanese youth.

These consultations and distribution of 2500 questionnaires concluded about three years after, but all the Minister is saying is that the document is being completed. One wonders what is causing the delay.

It is situations like these that jeopardise the outstanding work done by the Government over the last 22 years to advance the interests of youth in the areas of health, education and sport.

It also sends the wrong message to young people who have been eagerly awaiting the impact of Government policy that would have emanated from their direct input.

In 2014, youths want to redefine the role they play in the world through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), science and research, social media and sport. Such a policy, which could be revised every two years, could provide them the platform to grow and advance in this regard.

Guyana has to become the guiding light for the other Caricom countries and South American neighbours. It must advance the best National Youth Policy to further advance the spirit and aspirations of young Guyanese, who are already making sterling contributions to the world over.

President Donald Ramotar, who has the overwhelming support of Guyanese youth, can ill-afford to allow the implementation of a National Youth Policy to be an opportunity missed and squandered during his tenure in office.

It is time he intervenes, and brings the long overdue visionary and guiding document to fruition.

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National Youth Policy

Guyana is desperately in need of a National Youth Policy that would respond to the challenges facing youth here, while creating opportunities for them to further transform their lives through equitable access to education, housing, health services and economic opportunities.

This policy is the missing link between the state of hopelessness that is hovering over youth and their ability to make more meaningful contributions to the growth and development of Guyana.

As a matter of fact, the report of the Caricom Commission on Youth Development, “Eye on the Future: Invest in Youth Now for the Community tomorrow”, states that there is an urgent need for governments to respond to the school dropout rate which was at “a staggering height”.

It noted that youth unemployment and joblessness remain high, at a rate of 23 per cent, when compared to other developed countries. It advised too that urgent focus should be placed on the involvement of youth at all levels of the decision making strata, through a well-formulated policy.

There have not been much statistics available about the circumstances under which youth exist here, and it is hoped that the just concluded National Population Census will dedicate parts of its overall report to this area.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has promised to deliver such a policy to thousands of Guyanese youth time and time again, but is yet to do so.

There can be no rational excuse for the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry failing to produce a document it has been working on for more than six years.

It should be noted that the finalisation and consultations of the National Development Strategy, the National Competiveness Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy, together, took less time, compared to the National Youth Policy which is still incomplete.

In 2011, the Minister announced the commencement of countrywide consultations on the document to meet the changing socioeconomic circumstances facing Guyanese youth.

These consultations and distribution of 2500 questionnaires concluded about three years after, but all the Minister is saying is that the document is being completed. One wonders what is causing the delay.

It is situations like these that jeopardise the outstanding work done by the Government over the last 22 years to advance the interests of youth in the areas of health, education and sport.

It also sends the wrong message to young people who have been eagerly awaiting the impact of Government policy that would have emanated from their direct input.

In 2014, youths want to redefine the role they play in the world through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), science and research, social media and sport. Such a policy, which could be revised every two years, could provide them the platform to grow and advance in this regard.

Guyana has to become the guiding light for the other Caricom countries and South American neighbours. It must advance the best National Youth Policy to further advance the spirit and aspirations of young Guyanese, who are already making sterling contributions to the world over.

President Donald Ramotar, who has the overwhelming support of Guyanese youth, can ill-afford to allow the implementation of a National Youth Policy to be an opportunity missed and squandered during his tenure in office.

It is time he intervenes, and brings the long overdue visionary and guiding document to fruition.