Youth Department

 

"DEVELOPING CHILDREN FOR TODAY AND TOMMORROW”

MINISTRY OBJECTIVE

To provide for all citizens and residents in collaboration with other stakeholders, a comprehensive course of lifelong education which would enable individuals to develop and achieve their full potential, allowing them to make meaningful contribution to National Development.

Youth Department’s Mission Statement

The Youth Department is fully committed to develop and deliver quality programmes, services and activities that foster active participation which leads to the empowerment of young people in areas of employment, entrepreneurship, Sports, education, health, community service, volunteerism and decision-making.

Youth Department’s Vision

The Youth Department will endeavour to be a recognized leader in providing efficient and effective services for youth and the leading government’s department with a proactive approach towards the development and implementation of community based programmes for the youth of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Youth Department’s Goals:

  • To mobilize youth groups for positive action through Volunteerism and community service.
  • To identify capacity-building and leadership opportunities for individual youth (8-35 yrs) and members of the registered youth groups.
  • To identify avenues for youths to positively express themselves: creatively, physically and vocally.
  • To develop policies and implement programmes that contribute to the development of youth.
      • To ensure the collection of statistical data on youths  and the needs of our youth to aid in the planning and implementation of effective programmes.
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Key Responsibilities:

  1. To provide support for Youth Groups and Organizations in their quest for further development
  2. To provide guidance; information and training where possible for all youth to become proactively involved in the process of nation building
  3. To assist our key clients in the coordination of youth programmes at national level
  4. To develop national plans and policies for the advancement of our youth

Focus Areas

Youth Volunteerism, Participation and Community Service:

· National Youth Symposium: a two-day seminar to be held annually to address an issue(s) of critical concern to local youth.

· National Youth Festival: a three-day activity to highlight the significance of youth participation, talent and experience.

· Youth Parliament; to engage youth in public forum discussions on issues critical to them and to the country at large.

· Youth in Junior CARNIVAL: to encourage and educate youth on the significance of education and culture thus raising awareness for greater child and teen involvement.

· Commonwealth and Caricom Youth Ambassadors

Youth Empowerment, Employment and Entrepreneurship:

· CYP’s Commonwealth Youth Credit Initiative: provides financial assistance to address issues of reducing poverty and unemployment.

· St. Kitts Development Bank Empowerment Fund will strengthen our Business Lab Initiative.

· CYP’s Sustainable, technical and financial assistance to youth Livelihoods Programme: groups & leaders for training programmes that teach life & income skills.

· Non- Residential Summer Camp: engaging children in sports and skills training activities.

· Schools and youth groups Visits Programme: regular monthly visits to schools and groups to speak on identified issues and provide training.

· E.O.S. Radio Programme: Regular officers routine in the implementation of weekly programme.

Youth Health and Education:

· CYP’s Commonwealth Youth Service Awards: awarded to youth groups for outstanding community service programmes.

· CYP’s Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living programme: training of youth as peer leaders primarily to promote health issues.

Residential Summer Camp: Engaging children and young adults in social, cultural and skills training utilizing leadership strategies.

Youth Sports, Media and Music

· E.O.S. Radio Programme: Regular officers routine in the implementation of weekly programme.

· Youth video filming: Engaging youth in expressing themselves freely on issues affecting them. Additionally, promoting the positive practices of youth.

· Providing opportunities through music at International Music camp in North Dakota USA. Providing technical support to the St. Kitts Defense Force Youth Drum Corp

· Establishment of a Youth Department’s Living Positive Basket Ball competition. Lending additional support to Sports Department programmes.