"Being young should be the best years of your life. It should be a time of exploration, discovery and personal growth. But, as the Cayman Islands experienced a terrible September in which we witnessed the death of five young people, we were all faced with the fact that somehow, many young people have a very different experience," said Minister of Youth the Hon. Mark Scotland at the launch of the National Youth Policy 2011.
The National Youth Policy (2011) will serve as the Cayman Islands’ Government’s guiding document for the formulation of youth legislation, sub-policy, regulations and programmes. It establishes goals, objectives and strategies intended to mitigate existing and potential areas of concern with regards to youth.
Policymakers believe that the document is vital to national development, as it highlights actions needed to create, foster and sustain an evolving Caymanian culture that embraces emerging global thought while harnessing certain intrinsically Caymanian characteristics. Such steps, they feel, are necessary to produce vibrant youth who are resilient to potential negative societal obstacles, socially and politically informed, as well as environmentally aware.
The National Youth Policy (2011) is the product of careful research, extensive stakeholder meetings and focused discussions which included the youth of the Cayman Islands. It contains guiding goals and objectives which I believe will give renewed direction to all our youth services providers, noted Minister Scotland.
The minister's message and the National Youth Policy (2011) are available at www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky
