A batch of 636 youths was yesterday recognized at the National Cultural Centre under the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) programme which was themed ‘Youth Development through Voluntary Self-Involvement’.
Outstanding gold awardees were Marvin Tinnis and Natisha Dos Santos while Pierre Thello and Shantel Lewis were outstanding in the silver category.
In the Bronze awardee group, Randy Joseph, Travis Chanley, Ryan Dabideen, Devon Adams, Merlene Murray, Saskia Johnson, Vanessa De Nobrega, Sandra Charles and Indra Singh were recognized as the most outstanding participants.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, in his remarks, stated that over the programme’s 13 years of existence, thousands of young people would have joined and more than 5,500 would have successfully completed the programme in gold, silver or bronze categories.
This, he said, is remarkable as they are part of a global family consisting of 132 countries that are participating in such an award.
A study conducted by North Hampton, Anthony revealed, found that 90% of youths said that completing the award had opened opportunities to help others; 82% said it encouraged them to continue volunteering; 62% felt that it helped them make a positive difference in their local communities; 74% of young people said they developed self esteem; 64% said they are better at sport and physical activities and 74% of youths said it allowed them to attempt activities that they never would have before. He further stated that 71% of the young people identified improved self belief.
The minister stated Guyana’s youths have shown tremendous commitment to the programme and are indeed making a difference in their communities.
He said the government realizes that the country’s young people are its greatest assets and as such, their creativity and intellect must be developed to harvest and create a better future.
Also, he said, our society is now more prosperous and as such, more people are walking less and eating more and this is causing a lifestyle change which is resulting in an obesity pandemic. “We have more fat people and they are now at risks to chronic non-communicable diseases and we need to change that and we can only do so if we instil the right values in our young people,” he stated, adding that several initiatives have been taken to ensure a healthier population.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, presenting the feature address, said the programme is about positive energy and instilling positive values in the youths of Guyana.
“This is a story just not about personal growth because by participation, you grow academically, you mature mentally, you grow socially and you grow to love this country that belongs to all of us,” Jagdeo said, adding that while personal growth is important, we also need growth in social capital formation in our country.
It was noted that young people today are demonstrating what they can offer to their country and as such are now serving in much higher positions than was evident in previous years as only professionals of a certain age were thought to be fitting. Jagdeo pointed out that it is because of the belief he has in Guyana’s youths today that his cabinet is made up of 60% young people. “This is the kind of responsibility that we give to young people in order for them to raise to the challenge,” he added.
“We have a ton of naysayers. They are negative about their country. They are negative about everything and I ask you, as we move into the future, to aggressively fight the naysayers. Sometimes they say I am too controversial because I criticize some people but I am positive about those who are positive about our country and are positive about themselves and their future and our country’s future and I will fight with every strength, every bit of strength and intellect that I have who try to change our country for the bad, who are negative about everything good in Guyana,” Jagdeo said.
He told the awardees that it is expected that they will be in the forefront for change for the better of Guyana.
He said common dreams are shared to make Guyana the best and most developed country in the world and this is possible if the persons who intend to divide its people are fought against.
