PETERSFIELD, Westmoreland – Over 100 young people turned out to the conference on youth activism and volunteerism that was recently hosted by the National Youth Service (NYS) inside the Petersfield community in Westmoreland.

The conference, which was carried out in tandem with the Jamaica Net Corp (JAMNET) programme, was the second such event to be staged in the parish in the last two months. Jamaican NYS participant, Isha Creary, told JIS News that the conference was intended to empower the youth to do whatever was necessary for the advancement of their communities. And she said that efforts were underway to strengthen ties between clubs in various communities so that networks could be established, memberships increased and the work of volunteers showcased.

Ohene Blake, senior director for the National Centre for Youth Development and the main presenter at the conference, told participants that giving of their time could be considered the most precious commodity that they had.

Blake said that volunteerism was a virtuous and noble thing and he urged all youth and volunteer organisations to reposition themselves to be relevant in the global environment.

Meanwhile Canadian volunteer, Gary Johnson, told JIS News that participating in the exchange programme was highly interesting. He said that learning to adapt to a new culture had been very educational and that he had found Jamaicans to be very friendly.

The 16 volunteers – eight Jamaicans and eight Canadians – who are participating in this leg of the JAMNET programme started their tour of duty last October when the Jamaican volunteers visited the Charlotte Town community in Canada. Their tour will end on February 25. Under the programme, Jamaican and Canadian volunteers visit both countries on an exchange programme for three-month periods, doing volunteer work in host communities.