By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(St. John’s, Antigua)—The Trust of the Americas, an affiliate body of the Organization of American States (OAS) held a Regional Stakeholders Meeting in Antigua on June 30, 2008.
According to a press release from the Organization of the American States, the primary purpose of the meeting was to reach agreement on a strategic plan to address unemployment among disadvantaged youth in the region, through the application of information and communications technology (ICT). The meeting also provided an opportunity for Stakeholders to review progress of the Partnership in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas (POETA).
Stakeholders at the meeting included Deputy Permanent Secretaries and other technical officers from Ministries of Youth Affairs, Employment, Training and Education and Information and Communication Technology from the countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Private Sector Representatives and members of Civil Society Organizations from the OECS who specifically deal with issues relating to youth were also in attendance.
The St. Kitts contingent consisted of Mr. Leonard Spencer Amory, Acting Labor Commissioner, Dr. Ruth Thomas, Director of the Curriculum Development Unit, Mr. Geoffrey Hanley, Director of Youth in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Thenford Grey, member of the Advisory Council of Project Strong, Mr. Russell Williams, Director of the ITC Facility and Mr. Terry Morris, Social Development Officer, Ministry of Social and Community Development.
Mr. Starret Greene, the OAS Representative in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis said that it was important to give meaningful attention to integrating disadvantaged youths in the mainstream of society by providing them with the job- readiness and job-skills training, through the use of information and communication technology. Mr. Greene said that he was very pleased with the implementation of the POETA program at Project Strong and expressed the view that the involvement of the public and private sectors, through the leveraging of knowledge, good will, cash and infrastructure, will serve as a true model for public-private sector cooperation.
Mr. Russell Williams said that central to the discussions were: the high cost of internet in some states; perceived high cost of technology—hardware and software; the lack of empirical data to establish a baseline or measure the impact of programmes; the need for true Public-Private Sector Partnership; the need for relevant local content in the form of local or regional web based services to act as a driver or motivation for persons to invest their time and money in ICT; the need for persons to educate themselves as to the potential technology has to offer; a willingness for banks to move from traditional lending to support ideas and service based business models.
Mr. Geoffrey Hanley said that the meeting in Antigua was a very interactive one and that it made him aware that young people in the Americas were experiencing the same problems. One of the major problems with young people as it relates to employment has to do with attitude he said.
“Young people must develop a healthy attitude to work. Even if they have received training and their attitude is poor, it affects the work environment negatively,” Mr. Hanley said.
Mr. Hanley believes that every young person must be given a chance to contribute to nation building. He said that we must develop trust and confidence among our young people.
Mr. Hanley said that in a month’s time, POETA and the Trust of the Americas will furnish a report in which they will point the way forward in terms of training programmes for unemployed and disadvantaged youth.
