Barbados minister hails Commonwealth Youth Programme

Barbados' Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Business, Donville Inniss has hailed the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), saying the skills he acquired from its training, have helped contribute to who he is today.

Mr Inniss made the remarks 25 June 2008 while meeting Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith at Marlborough House in London, UK.

“I am a proud product of the CYP programme,” Mr Inniss said, adding: “I attended the Youth Diploma programme offered by CYP at University of Guyana in 1986, and learnt life, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.”

The CYP is dedicated to empowering young people aged 15 to 29 in the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries. CYP works with young people to help them become active citizens who understand that they have rights as well as responsibilities. This enables them to fully participate in development projects that create opportunities for themselves and their communities.

The minister noted that there is need to continue to build on the successes of the CYP, especially in ensuring that participants graduate with practical vocational skills that will enable them get absorbed into the job market.

The Minister and Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith discussed areas in which Barbados has an interest in receiving assistance from Commonwealth Secretariat, such as in taking advantage of investment opportunities arising from Economic Partnership Agreements.

Mr Smith informed the minister on the ongoing work throughout the Commonwealth including the recently concluded mini-summit on the reform of international institutions.

He also briefed Mr Inniss about the forthcoming Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, scheduled to take place in St Lucia in October 2008, which will focus on the implications of high food and fuel prices on development.

Mr Smith then informed the minister about Commonwealth's work in providing technical assistance to member countries in the development of trade in professional services and development of investment regimes and national export strategies.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Barbados
• Youth