Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) Senator, Shevern John, has bemoaned the fact that there is no National Youth Council (NYC) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
And she pointed an accusing finger at the “powers that be,” for what she deemed the systematic dismantling of the NYC, a voice of and for young people in the state.
Senator John expressed the sentiments during her address to the Convention of the Young Democrats, the youth arm of the NDP.
The Convention, bringing together youth representatives from across the state, was held last Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Party’s headquarters on Murray’s Road, Kingstown.
The Senator, her party’s candidate in the North Windward constituency come the next general election, spoke of the NYC as an impactful body, recalling that it has been responsible for moulding many who have sat and continue to sit in parliament and government.
She referenced Senator Israel Bruce, who was a former president of the NYC, and she could have easily referenced retired NDP parliamentarian Jeremiah Scott and current Minister of Education Curtis King, both former presidents of the NYC, albeit two distinct periods in the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In addition, it would have been a reminder for some of her audience and new information for others, when she declared that it was the NYC which was responsible as any other national body, for influencing the introduction of a National Heroes Day (March 1) and the discarding of Discovery Day (January 22) and by extension, the naming of Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer as this country’s first National Hero.
Senator John also highlighted the absence of school councils and a National Students Council, and stated categorically that this body and the NYC were “active organisations under the NDP administration.”
She assured her young colleagues that the NDP recognized the importance of these bodies and committed the party to re-establish these bodies and support them, “when we are elected into government when the next general elections are called.”
In short, though, her message to the youth of the party was that they should “align themselves with organisations that demonstrate organisational commitment,” and work to ensure that they are involved in decision-making and not be used as rubber stamps.
