CATEGORY:YOUTH DEVELOPMENT -------------------------------
PRIORITY AREAS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN 2007
The Department of Youth Development will continue to provide avenues for the empowerment of Grenadian youth through its various programmes and activities.
CORPORATE OBJECTIVES FOR THE 2007 BUDGET ---------------------------------------------
1. To promote the holistic development of our nations youth through the provision of relevant programmes and projects. 2. To provide meaningful employment opportunities for our young people through the IMANI Programme and the Grenada Youth Enterprise Initiative. 3. To oversee the Reconstruction of the Youth Development Centre and the Grand Bacolet Rehabilitation Centre. 4. To Co-ordinate and effectively implement the National Youth Training Skills Programme. 5. To implement a special programme for the rehabilitation of young offenders and deviant youth.
The Department has divided its programmes and activities into four strategic areas:
1.EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
The National Youth Service and Employment Programme falls under this area. Key aspects of this area will be:
IMANI Programme - Employment for some 1000 plus young people in addition to the 700+ already placed in 2006. There is a community service aspect of this programme as well as a fortnightly personal development session. Information and Employment Desk Short term training will be provided for some 1200 young persons as well as employment of a team to man the information desk and provide counseling and information services. Youth Pulse Programme The Minister will continue to meet and interact with young people and stakeholders in youth development around the tri island state. The funding component of this programme will also provide funding of up to EC$5000 to community groups Grenada Youth Enterprise Initiative Training will continue in small business development for young people across the tri island state. Several of these will be funded with up to EC$15,000 to start their own small business. Additionally a school programme providing EC$3000 to underprivileged youths in the area of agriculture will be started in 2007. Young Offenders Programme A comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders and the setting up of a temporary juvenile detention centre in Point Saline will be completed in 2007. The participants will be provided with a stipend. Meanwhile work continues on the re-development of the Grand Bacolet Facility. After School Programme Selected slow learners at selected schools around the island will be placed in this programme which provided academic and personal development classes as well as physical activity. There will also be monthly camps.
2.NETWORKING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Under this strategic area several areas will be developed further in 2007. These are:
Public Relation and Information Information on youth activities and on the programme of the Department will be provided to the people of the nation and in particular the youth. There will also be the creation of a youth newspaper, setting up of billboards and radio and television programme. Positive Vibes Programme This programme will be used to encourage the production of positive artistic creations. Music, video productions etc. Funding will be provided to artistes as part of this programme along with workshops.
3.LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
These programmes are geared toward the development of young leaders and the creation of better social skills:
Young Parent Support Programme Over two hundred and fifty young parents will be provided with academic and skill training three days per week at some 15 centres around the islands. Strengthening Youth Groups Assessment of Youth Groups as well as leadership training and other support is given to the formation, maintenance of youth organizations.
4.STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
The continued training and development of the Departments staff will continue in 2007 with workshops and attendance to local, regional and international activities.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ------------------------------------- Youth Month 2007 Several activities are planned for Youth Month 2007. These include environmental day, educational empowerment day, national youth rally, national quiz etc.
Global Youth Service Day This activity is celebrated each year and involves hundreds of young people in community projects over Global Youth Service Weekend.
