Rewarding efforts to build community spirit: President Bharrat Jagdeo; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Permanent Secretary Alfred King with the gold awardees at the PYARG’s graduation ceremony at the National Culture Centre on Friday
Some 636 youths who successfully completed the President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana (PYARG) programme were honoured on Friday.
The graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) coincided with the award’s 13th anniversary, and saw graduates receiving certificates and lapel pins.
President Bharrat Jagdeo joined Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony; Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred King; Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Raul Gortazar Marrero and Mexican Ambassador Fernando Sandoval in presenting the awards.
The award, a model of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, International Award for Young People was launched by it first patron, President Janet Jagan on October 3, 1998 to empower youths to cope with and overcome challenges that may impede their development.
Services, expedition, skills and physical recreation are the four main sections of the programme offered at the bronze, silver and gold levels.
Through the awards, many of the nation’s youths offer useful community service to others; and play a key role in peer education and turtle conservation at Shell Beach, Region One.
Delivering his charge to the awardees, President Jagdeo reiterated that the purpose of the award is to instill positive energy and values in youths.
“This is a story not just of personal growth for you… but also growth in social capital formation in our country… it’s the social energy, all of us together working in concert, that will change our country,” President Jagdeo said.
The youths, who are within the age range of 18 to 25, were told that they have the potential to rise to the challenges provided that the opportunities are available, and President Jagdeo shared his own experience as a youth in the face of challenges.
“I was in my 20s when I became a minister and a member of parliament and then I had to deal with a number of people who thought that age meant somehow that you are inadequate… when I became president I had to overcome that hurdle,” President Jagdeo said.
He then turned his attention to the long-held position that senior government positions had to be filled by persons in their 50s and 60s, and drew comparisons to the members of his Cabinet who he described as youthful, smart and intelligent.
“Today, young people are demonstrating what they can do for our country. It doesn’t mean that we don’t value the wisdom or the sacrifices and the efforts of our elders, but societies that are young in energy, mentally and physically, will develop more,” President Jagdeo said.
