Kids to have their say at annual youth forum

(CNS): Cayman’s young people are invited to come and speak their minds at the Ministry of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture and the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly (CIYA)’s third annual Youth Forum this Friday, 5 November . The youngsters will be given the opportunity to say what they think about a number of key issues impacting the community and what should be done about them. From crime to teenage pregnancy rates the youngsters will be able to tell government ministers who can sometimes be very far removed from the reality of teenage life, how they perceive the life in Cayman today.

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Therefore they should rightfully be brought to the table to give their input on issues that affects their present and future,” said Youth Minister Mark Scotland. Some of the issues expected to be raised include crime and violence, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and the state of local education. “I look forward to hearing first-hand how our young people see these and other issues. However, we won’t focus on the challenges alone. I would like to our young people spend equal time on talking about solutions and opportunities.”

The Minister of Education Rolston Anglin and Community Affairs minister Mike Adam are also expected to attend the youth roundtable government information services said.

The last youth forum was well-attended with over 200 young people. Key topics then included the landfill and the environment along with the state of the education system. The event takes place at the Mary Miller Hall this evening at 7pm.

For more information on the Youth Forum, contact Mellony Bryan at mellony.bryan@gov.ky