Green signals changes to youth advisory council

State Minister with responsibility for youth, Floyd Green, has signalled that there will be tweaks to the Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica (YACJ) programme in spite of the overall success of the inaugural council.

While not disclosing the changes, Green said the Govern-ment would be considering recommendations put forward by outgoing council members as it seeks to craft a new, more foolproof programme.

Green noted that at least 15 youngsters who will be tasked with serving for the 2019-2020 period should be installed by the end of this month.

"... When we're installing the new council, we will indicate the changes that have been made to the programme," said Green.

"Like with every first-time initiative, there are teething pains, but I think all in all, it went extremely well. They got a feel of how advisers operate and also the difficult decisions that Government has to make. I think one of their biggest testaments is the changes that we made to the Youth Parliament, and I think it's a model not just for Jamaica, but the entire Caribbean, in that the Youth Parliament is actually coordinated, organised and run by young people, and I think that is the truest testament to how serious we are as a Government about youth participation and involvement," he continued.

sensitisation efforts

Green noted, too, that there was a significant increase in the number of applicants this time around as a result of the Government's sensitisation efforts.

"Clearly, what we try to do is get some of the best and brightest minds right across the length and breadth of Jamaica ...," he added.

The YACJ is intended to facilitate the continuous engagement of young people in youth development policy and programming actions of the Government.

It is also being coordinated with the intent of facilitating dialogue between young people and all government ministries, departments and agencies.

The criteria comprise a diverse mix of voluntary service to country, knowledge of govern-ment, experience in youth and policy development, and entrepreneurship.

The YACJ also acts as steering committee for the National Youth Parliament towards ensuring that the deliberations of the Parliament are presented to, and discussed with, the relevant decision makers.