Fellow Grenadians, The month of October is a very critical period in the annual calendar of events for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture. This month is dubbed Youth Empowerment Month. During October, a number of activities will be conducted during the month to provide opportunities for youth empowerment, and to raise the level of patriotism for this country under the theme “Facing the challenges, preparing for the future- we can make the difference”. We at the Ministry would like to echo the sentiments of former United States first lady Barbara Bush when she said that this is the period for our young people to believe in something larger than themselves and to get involved in big ideas of their time. Our new trust for youth empowerment sport and culture will undoubtedly create the atmosphere for our youth to believe in something larger than themselves and to get involve in the big ideas of this time. During the next four years, our Ministry will embark on a well planned, gradual developmental programme to facilitate the holistic empowerment of our youth. This process will focus on three major pillars Institutional strengthening of the existing organizations and programmes within the three departments. Physical infrastructural investment in sports/culture and youth empowerment. Adoption and implementation of incentive and reward packages with a view to recognize achievements of persons from each of the respective areas. In the area of Institutional Strengthening for Youth Empowerment, the Ministry will: Ø Identify available scholarships globally and, publicize their availability in a transparent and open manner. Ø Use the youth database to identify young adults who are qualified for tertiary and vocational education. Ø Identify the employment and education needs of our young people. Ø Assist in recognizing the social and economic challenges facing youth in Grenada. Ø Restructure and rechristen the present “IMANI” program into a new “HEART” model, to deal with recruitment, training and preparation for the job market. Ø This new “HEART” model will employ the help of the Ministry of Education in adopting and implementing a Technical and Vocational Education Training Program. Ø Create avenues where the youth, sport and culture outreach programs will work as one unit at the school, community and national levels. Ø Promote youth involvement and participation in the overall democratic process Ø Aggressively promote and remodel the Grenada Youth Initiative investment programme In the area of Institutional Strengthening for Culture, plans are already in place to facilitate; Ø The re-institution of the Grenada Cultural Foundation. Ø The adjustment of the Cultural Foundation Act to make it more relevant to the new dispensation. Ø Redefining the Cultural Policy. Ø The re-modeling and active implementation of the Copyright Act. Ø The formation of the first ever Grenada School of Music. Physical infrastructural investment in Sport/Youth and Culture throughout the nation will facilitate: Ø The rebuilding of the track and field stadium Ø Construction of a cultural center at Seamoon in St. Andrew’s Ø Rebuilding of the Youth Center at Morne Rouge in St. Georges Ø Continued development of existing recreational parks; namely Cuthbert Peters, La Sagesse and Progress Parks Ø Lighting of one playing field in each parish Ø Completion of the long overdue juvenile center Ø Construction of an Olympic sized swimming pool With regards to the adoption and implementation of incentives and reward packages with the view to recognize achievements in persons from each of the respective areas, The Ministry will: Ø Create guaranteed jobs within the various uniformed organizations and ministries Ø Allocate scholarships where possible Ø Provide monetary incentives, national awards, and opportunities to excel at the international level. It is this context that we at the ministry will like to encourage the entire population to be a part of this year’s youth empowerment month activities. Be part of this new dispensation and allow yourself to experience a change in the direction of the responsibilities of Grenada’s youth, as well as the provisions made for you. This year’s activity provides opportunity for spiritual development, education on AIDS/HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases, avenues to demonstrate and harness debating skills and talents, but most importantly, a chance to be part of a positive change in society. At this stage I see it fitting as minister for youth empowerment, to use this opportunity to applaud the young people of this nation who have made every effort to remain positive in their outlook on life, even when faced with challenges. A great writer once said that nothing will work until you work on it so I urge you to keep on working on your attitudes toward others, yourself, and life in general. Statistics have shown that in Grenada, more young female pursue higher educational programs than their male counterparts. What is even sadder is that this research also indicates that more males than females become involved in deviant behavior that is more likely to lead to their incarceration. I ask our young men to rise and take their place in society as responsible citizens. It is not enough that you claim adulthood at age 18, with no regard to the actions that come with being an adult. Challenge yourself to be more responsible, to be positive role-models to those who look up to you. Keep close to those who are positive influences on your life. Make an effort to be better than you are, even when you may not want to. Take care of your families, seek gainful employment, and make your parents proud to call you their son. I am well aware that there are young men who are doing remarkably well as responsible adults. To you, I say, keep up the good work; your efforts will not go unpaid. I also challenge you to encourage those who are weaker, for united we are stronger, but divided we falter. To the young women of Grenada, I also challenge you to go farther, do better, and reach higher. Encourage your peers to be the best in whatever path they choose, because it is sometimes encouragement that it needed to inspire change for the better. As the words of former British prime minister and writer Benjamin Disraeli rightly said “everything great has been done by youth” I encourage you to live up to his words. Be great in all that you do. To our cultural and sporting ambassadors, both in Grenada and throughout the world, God has blessed you with a talent. Continue to use your gifts to make yourself and our country proud. To those with resources, use them to help others and yourself fine-tune your craft. This country and its government stand ready to assist you wherever and whenever possible. The success of all of the impending programs planned depends on the cooperation of every Grenadian. We at the ministry can only provide the framework on which to foster these exciting changes. We need your ideas, your time, your talent, your energies, your encouragement. We are all in this together. May God bless each of you, and may God bless our nation Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Inside Grenada News