New President of the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD), Phael Lander has said that the council is committed to revitalizing the district youth councils across the island. He made the disclosure while delivering remarks at the NYCD Official Inauguration ceremony of the 2023-2025 incoming executive held at the Prevo Cinemall Ballroom on Saturday.
According to him, youth engagement lies at the heart of the council’s mission as the executive firmly believes that the power to effect meaningful change lies within the hands of the youth.
“We are committed to revitalizing the district youth councils across the nation. We have already achieved two, the other six, we are coming,” Lander said. “These local bodies will serve as the breeding ground for ideas, innovation, and active participation in community development.”
He continued, “As we work towards building a strong and more cohesive nation we will empower these district youth councils to be the driving force behind positive change, while ensuring presentation from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.”
Furthermore, Lander pointed out that to achieve sustainability the NYCD will focus on three main pillars, “engagement, education and empowerment.”
He said the focus will be placed on active engagement where every member feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique talent and ideas.
“We will provide opportunities for continuous education and skills development, equipping our youth with the tools they need to lead with confidence and competence,” Lander explained. “And finally, we will strive to empower our youth by providing them with platforms to take ownership of their own initiatives and drive change within their communities.”
He went on to state that the NYCD has been actively involved in critical discussions and decision-making processes that shape the nation’s future. Meanwhile, Former President of the NYCD, Ashma McDougall said in the past two years the outgoing executive has been praised for its success in revitalizing a few major core initiatives to youth development and the engagement platform, including the National Youth Awards, the National Youth Parliament among others.
“Additionally, we have multiplied the visibility and the recognition of the council’s effort and image through rebranding, through consistent youth engagement,” she said.
Importantly, McDougall indicated that the success of the NYCD rested heavily on the successful receipt of over $250,000 in grant funding and in private-sector donations.
“All-in-all we are content with the goals we have set during the past two years,” she stated. “And tonight I stand proud of what we have accomplished over the last two years and might I add in the middle of a pandemic.”
She stated that presently, youth are offered great opportunities to feel heard, to be empowered, and to do more than just speak.
“It is quite fitting that the 2023-2025 executive has elected to continue to champion the cause under the theme: Our Youth, Our Council, Our Future,” McDougall said.
She continued, “What I have come to realize is that the council on its own cannot steer the change we the youth crave and wish to experience.”
McDougall trusts that the council will remain committed to increasing youth outcomes, “through action, through advocacy, through inclusion and through unity.”
They are Skerrits ‘Under 25’ mouthpieces. Beware of them!