Minister Calls For Responsible Behaviour

Anguilla’s Minister responsible for Youth Affairs, Evans Rogers, says that over the years there had been many positive achievements by the island’s talented young people.

He gave such examples as their outstanding performances in the CXC exams this year, sports on the national, regional and international level; and their involvement in a number of youth groups in the schools, churches and their communities.

Mr. Rogers said however that unfortunately the violent behaviour of some young people at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and in the community, was cause for concern and a reminder that all was not well. “If we all do not deal with this problem as a matter of urgency, the whole social and economic fabric of our society will fall apart,” he warned. “The good, positive achievements are seldom remembered but the bad, unfortunate and negative things are seldom forgotten.”
The Minister was at the time delivering an address at the opening ceremony of the National Youth Congress to mark Caribbean Youth Day. The one-day function, under the theme “Youth and Health, Pillars for Anguilla’s Development,” attracted the participation of a large number of young people primarily from the Comprehensive School.

He told the youngsters that they had a critical role to play in Anguilla’s development and urged them to join the many school, church and community organisations. “In these organisations you will develop the qualities of leadership, commitmemt, dedication to service, integrity, conflict resolution skills and honesty,” he said. “These are the qualities that will help you to develop as a more adjusted, successful and productive adult.”

Mr. Rogers said Ijahnya Christian and Sonia Skellekie, of the Youth and Cultural Division of his Ministry, should be highly commended for their work. “They have shown great commitment to the task despite the enormous difficulties that they face,” he stated. “I must also congratulate the members of the Steering Committee of the National Youth Council who have been working with the Youth and Cultural Division to have the Council reinstated later this year.”

Following the opening ceremony, there were a number of workshop sessions which began with a presentation by Fritz Smith of the Optimist Club. The rest of the activities included a presentation of the draft constitution of the Anguilla National Youth Council by Dawne Richardson, member of the Interim Council Steering Committee; a feature presentation by John Lake followed by a group discussion; a revision of the national Youth Policy Plan led by Sonia Skellekie; and a presentation and discussion on a proposed recreation centre by Dwayne Smith.

An evaluation of the National Youth Congress was given by Keria Hughes, Anguilla’s representative to the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre Regional Youth Caucus. The facilitator was Ardin Richardson, the island’s Youth Ambassador to CARICOM.

The National Youth Congress was hosted by the Anguilla Youth Council Interim Steering Committee and the Youth and Culture Division of the Ministry of Social Development.

(L-R) Orris Proctor, John Lake, Hon. Evans Rogers and Ag. Gov, Mark Capes

Students of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School

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