Youth empowerment and inclusion is the talk of the town as youths throughout the tri-island state embarked on different activities as Grenada gears up for its Golden Jubilee on February 7th.
Embracing the motto, “Fifty is a big deal,” children and youths got the opportunity to interact with members of Parliament during pinning ceremonies at various primary and secondary school throughout the island.
The students along with budding professionals also got the opportunity to interact with industry experts as the “I Can, You Can, We Can” youth symposium was held last Friday at the Radisson Beach Resort.
Recalling the Bible story of David and Goliath, Minister for Youth and Sports, Senator Jonathan La Crette implored the youths to be ready and prepared because they will never know when their opportunity will come.
“As the next generation, there are times you will never be called, may not even be noticed or recognised. Sometimes you just have to show up and say to those who are in authority over you, “Send me because I can.”
The St. George North-west Caretaker for the Congress party told the youngsters that the future is in their hands and they must ensure that they move Grenada forward.
“You are the only generation that may witness with your natural eyes, two fifties; this one and another fifty to come… and as a result of that, you have a responsibility to carry this nation to its next 50 years…,” he said.
“The journey of the next fifty years of this nation rest solely on your backs, on your shoulders, in your care and you have to be careful that you don’t miscarry,” he added.
Sen. LaCrette stressed the need for the nation’s youth to be aware of the decisions that they make as young people.
“You have the birth of the next fifty years of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to carry and you have to be careful that the things that you put your hands to academically, professionally, socio-economically etc. spiritually that they are sound and solid, that you do not miscarry the next fifty years of Grenada’s entrance and blossom on the international stage,” he said.
The senior government minister drew attention to the importance of ignoring the negative comments of other people.
“Sometimes as you walk through your journey in your generation, you have to learn to block out and put up some shields and some guards against negativity that will impede how great you see yourself, how mighty you see yourself,” he told the gathering.
The former Health Minister highlighted that what is missing in leadership among young people is a lack of spirituality.
“There is one factor that is missing from our leadership in today’s world across this entire universe and that is the spiritual nature of our leaders and there is no real leadership unless you are led by God, unless you are spiritually grounded and spiritually rooted. There is no real leadership and though as a government, we will like to see youth in entrepreneurship, youth in tourism and agriculture, youth in diplomacy and international relations, youth in Labour Relations, youth in Health, youth in Youth and Sports, youth in Climate Resilience and Energy, you will not be able to lead effectively if the God factor does not go before you, does not go with you and does not go after you – you can only can, if God enables your can,” he remarked.
Sen. LaCrette informed the gathering that they must be mindful of how they present themselves in their daily lives because as a Minister of Government, he knows that it is action that can have an impact on the next generation of leaders.
“We are mindful that you are watching and you are comparing, assessing and analysing politicians of the day, we have a huge responsibility to ensure we walk right because a single misstep means your disinterestedness…,” he said.
“Watch how you walk, watch how you talk, watch how you lead because only you can tell yourself that you can,” he added.
The minister went on to say: “There are some people in life, their mission is to tell you, you can’t. That’s why they have been planted and rooted. Sometimes their voice becomes stronger even as you mature in the thing that you place your hands to but when you get up in the morning… and you can tell yourself with such certainty… you can, it is that kind of affirmation that gives you the ability to rise above everything that is making noise around you…and you have a responsibility that even if the label is placed on you, God bless you with two hands to peel it off.”
The former school principal urged the youth to “peel” the thoughts that others have of them and create new labels they want for themselves.
“My message to this generation this morning is that you can peel off any label that is placed on you and recreate the kind of label, re-engineer the kind of label that you want to be known by and known for.”
Keynote Speaker Bevon Charles admonished the students to pursue their dreams and aspirations despite life’s hardships.
She encouraged the students to embark on a journey of self-discovery in order to find their purpose in life.
“Despite the background that you have, despite the background your parents had, it’s up to you…the only one you can count on is yourself because your dream is yours. You are the one who is going to see, you are the only one going to feel it,” said the business owner.
“Every opportunity that comes before you, you have to take it because you do not know where it will lead you…no matter how ridiculous a dream might sound, it is not impossible,” she added.