Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in collaboration with Cuso International on Thursday called on youths to be agents of change at a simple ceremony hosted in observance of International Volunteer Day, held at the GNS Sport Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.
International Volunteer Day 2013 was observed under the theme “Youth. Global. Active”.
During the occasion, tributes were paid to the contribution of youth to peace and sustainable human development.
The occasion was attended by Cuso International Representative Taramattie Persaud, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)/ Caricom representative Taku Yoshida and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.
Yoshida praised the relations between Guyana and Japan, pointing out that Japan is working with Guyana and the Caribbean to develop stronger volunteer initiatives.
The occasion was also used to launch a calendar to offer volunteers and their supporters the unique experience of being part of the calendar process, while stimulating learning more about some of the social issues within the Caricom countries.
Describing the content of the calendar, Yoshida noted that the calendar also presents facts about social issues the volunteers are strenuously trying to solve every day. Some of these include disabilities, population, women’s role in society, health, tourism, biodiversity/ global warming, indigenous heritage, migration of the tertiary educated population, food security, abuse and of course volunteerism.
Along with those tips, there are also pictures depicting activities done by the various volunteer groups in Guyana.
Dr Anthony also commended the youth volunteers, pointing out that they help to make society a better place.
According to the minister, through the significant work of volunteers in the health sector, Guyana was able to reduce the number of cases of persons affected by HIV/ AIDS. This effort, he said, is needed to address chronic non-communicable diseases, pointing out that focus has to be placed on getting the message across.
