Youth for the Future opens secretariat
So far it’s been better known for its lavish launch at the Marion Jones stadium than for any concrete achievements on the streets. But according to its creators, the new initiative for young people, whose headquarters was dedicated this afternoon, is no nine days wonder. Marion Ali has more.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Hundreds of youths gathered today near the Bel-China Bridge in Belize City to witness the opening of their new secretariat. The Youth for the Future Initiative, the brainchild of Prime Minister Said Musa, today made another step forward when its very own administrative office was officially opened.
The building, located just beside the U.D.P. headquarters, houses a counselling centre, an internet cafe, and administrative offices. Musa, says his government has and will continue to commit resources and financial aid to the initiative.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We’re building up this matter as an institution. It’s institutional development going on so that whichever government comes about anytime in the future, the Youth for the Future and the youth development programmes will continue. We need to ensure that there’s sustainability and institutional capability to ensure the longevity of the programmes.”
Marion Ali
“And how is this different from the C.Y.D.P.?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“The C.Y.D.P., I felt, and if you look at it objectively, was a very good programme, but it was more of an ad hoc thing to deal with a particular problem. This is looking at the big picture now, youth at risk, but also to ensure that all our young people, particularly those who are doing their best to make it in society, are given the right incentives.”
Executive Coordinator of Youth for the Future, Nuri Muhammad, says the services, which include units for counselling, conflict resolution, promoting youth entrepreneurs, job creation, and home construction opportunities, will be made available to any youth who seeks them.
Nuri Muhammad, Coordinator, Youth for the Future
“Our effort is directly at our young people, and not only those in this neighbourhood, and in the city, but throughout the country. What you see here is an extension of what we are dealing with also in the districts, the towns and villages. So I would say our immediate extension to young people is to be a part of the various programmes that will be coming out of the initiative. The main ones that we are concerned that the young people know, is the youth in governance, which will be an opportunity for them to participate within the process of rulership, governance, have a word about weh the happen in Belize, what is you opinion, what do you think ought to happen.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos Garcia, likened the initiative to a continuum.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Min. of Human Development
“There’s no line where you can say you stop being a child and become a young person, or you stop being a young person and become an old person, we have to look at it in an integrated way. And I welcome this opportunity, I think the initiative and this office as the secretariat, will offer that kind of coordination that wasn’t there before.”
Marion Ali for News 5.
