Improving the Services of the Ministry of Youth, Sports & E-Governance

Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance begins an official tour, starting with San Pedro. His objective to ensure that services are offered to enhance the development of youth and sports while pushing the concept of digitizing government services through e-governance. During his visit to the island town, Minister Kevin Bernard and his team met with several persons including, cabinet colleague and Minister of Blue Economy Andre Perez among others. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Youth, Sports and E-Governance Minister Kevin Bernard is resolute on his mission to improve services and empower the youth across the country. In a recent trip to Ambergris Caye, Bernard said that despite the limited resources, he wants to make an impact on the lives of as many young people as possible.

Kevin Bernard

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Youth, Sports & E-Governance

“The main purpose of being here in San Pedro is to familiarise myself with the staff here, but at the same time to hear from them and others what are some of the things that they feel needs to be done in terms of youth service and also in sports.”

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy & Civil Aviation

“There are many limitations due to the pandemic, however, we must prepare for the future and knowing Minister Bernard, he has an impeccable track record of making things happen. We have a wide variety of talent, of young people here in San Pedro – be it in sports, be it in the services that they provide here – they are leading in many different examples.”

Accompanying the minister on the tour was the Acting Director of the Department of Youth Services, Kevin Cadle who speaks of the new structure and services of the department for which access will be provided.

Kevin Cadle

Kevin Cadle, Acting Director, Department of Youth Services

“We have the behaviour modification and conflict management services, the youth counselling and wellness services, the governance data research and planning services. We have the Belize training institutes consisting of the western region, the central region and the northern region training institute currently in the department of Youth Services. We also have the entrepreneurship and on-the-job skills training services as well as the youth technology and arts services.”

National Sports Council Director Ian Cal says that he is looking at new ways to engage young people through e-sports and tourism sports to encourage international athletes.

Ian Cal

Ian Cal, Director, National Sports Council

“We are here in San Pedro mainly to build a partnership with the area representative and as well with the town council. As many people know the National Sports Council didn’t have any actual representation on the island, so our focus in the restructuring of the department, in the restricting of the ministry is that we need to have representation all over the country so San Pedro cannot be left out. What we want to do is we want to bring focus on the different sports disciplines here in San Pedro, what San Pedro has to offer when it comes to sports, but as well how best we can work along with the local community, the local leaders to bring that out.”

Duane Moody for News Five.