Government reappoints youth commission

(CNS): Addressing crime and violence, education issues and drug abuse are the goals of the newly re-appointed and expanded National Youth Commission (NYC), which recently met with government officials to outline plans for the year. Youth Minister Mark Scotland said the mission was to steer young people “towards a brighter future than we have seen in recent times.” The main role of the NYC is to research and advise on youth issues, while monitoring the on-going youth programmes. The NYC comprises educators, community leaders and members of non-governmental organizations, as well as agencies such as the National Drug Council and the RCIPS.

Several students and other young people, as well as representatives from the Sister Islands, also serve on the revised council.

A report which compiles all recent research and findings relating to youth was presented to the members at a recent meeting, and officials say the National Youth Policy itself is in the process of being reviewed and will soon be finalised. The NYC’s terms of reference are also being revised, and the members are to be assigned to sub-committees dealing with youth development, youth welfare and youth affairs.

The NYC’s current priorities are to refine its action plan, to lead an audit of all youth services, and to develop a youth index to evaluate the status of young people as well as the effectiveness of programmes.  “Government spends a tremendous amount of funds across several departments on youth development. However, there needs to be closer monitoring and coordination, even within the districts,” the minister explained.  While the NYC has traditionally focused on teens and young adults Scotland has urged the group to focus more attention on children under ten years of age.