Greater Georgetown, Guyana – To the Youth across our Caribbean Community, I join with you in celebrating this Caribbean Youth Day. This year’s theme “Youth Harnessing Positive Energy for Caribbean Development” resonates with the regional vision in the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan 2012 – 2017. That Plan which came out of the Declaration of Paramaribo on the Future of Youth in the Community issued by Heads of Government following the CARICOM Youth Summit in Suriname in 2010 is aimed at “Secure, valued and empowered adolescents and youth realising their full potential and contributing to a sustainable Caribbean Community”.
During my missions to Member States over the past year, I have had the opportunity to meet and discuss with many of you, your hopes, aspirations, concerns and challenges and also for the Community. It has been both a learning and a heartening experience which has strengthened my resolve to help build a Community reflective of the passionate desire you have expressed for a successful integration movement. In that regard, I intend to continue my dialogue with the Youth of our Community.
Your accomplishments in all fields of endeavour continue to contribute significantly to the development of our Member States and our Region. Through your innovative and distinctive spirit, you are ideally suited to play a leading role in responding to the challenges posed to our regional integration movement.
As we celebrate you on this day, I recall the words of the 2010 Declaration of Paramaribo in which our Heads of Government affirmed their “… belief that the unique perspective, creativity, energy and other assets which young people possess are essential elements of societal change, technological innovation and development, making them invaluable assets and partners in development and not problems to be solved.”
Happy Caribbean Youth Day 2012. Enjoy your celebrations!
His Excellency Irwin Larocque
