President urges youth activism in national, global issues – over 600 youths conferred at PYARG 12th anniversary

Following the completionof theirinvolvement incommunity service, adventure,skills training,physical recreationand moral education,678 successful participantsof the President’sYouth Award Republicof Guyana (PYARG) programmewere conferredat the award’s 12th anniversarycelebrations overthe weekend.The proud awardees,all of whom were betweenthe ages of 14and 25, were encouragedby President BharratJagdeo to continue thetask of nation building bycontributing towards andadding their voices to nationaland global issues.“Don’t just focus onyour own surroundings.There is a big, wide worldout there and there is acountry. There is a nationalpolicy; and for youto move up from bronzeto gold, I expect that youhave a broader outlookfor the rest of the world…I hope that you see thechallenges of the worldand people’s struggles,and that you understandthem, because it makesyou better individuals,”the president said.He highlighted theopportunities the awardprogramme affordedthe youths, amongwhich were to experienceGuyana’s incomparablegeographic and culturalpatrimony.“I hope that thisawakens in you a strongersense of love for thiscountry and a love for allthings Guyanese. We dohave our challenges, butthis country is part of ourlife and blood. This is theonly thing that belongsto us,” President Jagdeosaid.He added that, forGuyana to develop, someof the latent tendenciesof the past — such as divisionby religion and race– must be changed.The president describedthis as a traditionalmindset that hasplagued the country’s development;and, in thisregard, he called on theyouths to curtail thisby taking up leadershiproles at the communitylevel.“When you go back toyour communities, takeleadership positions inorganizations, get involvedwith others. Tryto break down the bigotrythat exists in someplaces. When you hearpeople say these things,don’t subscribe to themif they are disparagingto another person basedon their religion or race.”The president said, in referringto domestic violence:“Look how many menabuse our children andget away with it becausethe community stays silent…because we thinkit’s not our business. Ifwe want to change ourcountry, that’s not theattitude, we have to getinvolved in everything tomake this place a betterplace.”Among those presentwere Prime MinisterSamuel Hinds; Ministerof Culture, Youth andSport, Dr Frank Anthony;and the permanent secretaryin that ministry,Alfred King; membersof the diplomatic corps,parents and guardians.Minister Anthonymade reference to variousaspects of the programmethat benefitedthe participants, includingpeer education onHIV/AIDS, domestic violence,edutainment, andheritage site preservation.The ceremony, heldat the National CulturalCentre, included a medleyof folk songs; the viewingof an awards documentary;and dance performancesby the PYARG,Urmilla’s Institute,and the St Rose’s HighPYARG unit.