PRIME MINISTER TELLS YOUTH THEY’RE THE REAL PROSPECT AND PROMISE OF THE WORLD
Delegates attending the Commonwealth Youth Forum 7 have been assured that their potential, work and contribution are immeasurable. Speaking at a prize giving ceremony on Thursday, November 26 at the Princess Theatre on board the Caribbean Princess, Mr. Manning said young people have been instrumental in effecting change in this world.

“I am addressing you this afternoon from a very deep sense of appreciation of the value of our young men and women across the Commonwealth and the wider world, and from an awareness of the contribution you can and do make to the development of our nations and to human progress,” Mr. Manning said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that in Trinidad and Tobago it is young people who have given this country so much to celebrate each time they excel in premiere international competitions, sporting disciplines, music and arts. Yet he said the 15-25 age group is expected to experience the lowest rate of population growth in one and a half decades.
He told the CYF7 that Heads and their delegations coming to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2009 are eager to hear the results of their deliberations.

Mr. Manning said, “Rest assured that we are going to look into all of your considerations, proposals and initiatives. And more importantly, that every effort will be made to incorporate them into a framework of policies and programmes which will enable all of us to work together to heal our world and make it a better place.”

On Friday 27 November, 2009 a delegation from the CYF7 will present to the Heads of Government a communiqué which has been summarized into four broad categories: climate change, peace building, youth involvement and economic growth.

Underscoring the importance of the youth voice, the Prime Minister said there was the necessity to give way to fuller and more effective participation of youth in decision making and “Your presence at this forum is an indication that governments across the Commonwealth have been attempting to address this challenge seriously. But I believe we can and must do more. And by “we” I refer to us all: our nations, the leaders and you, the youth of our nations.”

Mr. Manning said every effort will be made to incorporate youth into a framework policy and programme telling them that his government wants more young people involved proactively as agents of moral rectitude in the battle against crime, as exemplars and as agents of positive social change.

President of Suriname, Ronald Venetiaan also assured the CYF7 that he and other heads were looking forward to receiving their communiqué , but moreso, implementing the recommendations.

According to him, young people’s aspirations and dreams will determine the course of the world. He told the gathering that it is how young people perceive themselves that will determine “so much in the world” even as he urged them to think of themselves as resources rather than mere beneficiaries.

“It is my hope that in this, the Commonwealth’s 60th anniversary year –in which we have committed to, I quote, ‘serving a new generation’ – that a determined Declaration will be issued by Heads of Government, to do just that,” said the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma who also spoke at the prize giving ceremony. He underscored the Commonwealth’s commitment to youth but he asked that they also return the favour by committing themselves to the grouping of 53 nations.

“To the young men and women of the Commonwealth, I say that this association is committed to serving you – and, in turn, I ask you to serve it, to embrace its values, its networks, its striving for collective approaches to collective challenges.”

Mr. Sharma told the delegates of the CYF7 that he sees them as partners on the journey to democracy and development; however, he said he also recognises the problems that impede youth. He asked rhetorically “what is the prize we all seek?” before answering a “fairer, better, more peaceful and a prosperous world.”

The Secretary General has urged CYF7 delegates to use “well” their meeting with the Heads of Government on Friday.  He assured them that no subject is taboo.  


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