KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Department of Government, is spearheading a programme to prepare youngsters for the future by promoting values and attitudes.

According to Head of the department, Dr Lloyd Waller, it has seen the need to take up the challenge, considering the number of attempts which have been made over the past two decades to arrest the decaying values and attitudes, which exist across the island, especially among the youth.

“Evidence from a recent survey conducted by the Centre for Leadership and Governance, as well as utterances from several sectors of Jamaican society suggests that much more effort is needed. Importantly, there is a need for a national discussion about/on strategies to promote positive values and attitudes among the Jamaican youth,” Dr Waller said.

He noted that last month, the department spearheaded a National Youth Conference focused on preparing youths for the future and promoting Values and Attitudes for Development.

Youth and Culture Minister, Lisa Hanna, who addressed the conference, noted that it takes more than talent, knowledge and technical training to become a success.

“It requires the critical soft skills or what I like to call a mindset for success, which includes personal value systems and an attitude that says I’m serious about who I am and what I do and, therefore, I am to be taken seriously,” she said

The Conference, which was held November 26 at the UWI Regional headquarters, received critical support from the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the Spanish Court Hotel, the Mona School of Business and Management, the UNFPA and Guardian Group.

Dr Waller stated that the objective of the Conference was to, “provide a platform to stimulate, develop, and share information regarding the values and attitudes of the Jamaican youth, the implications for youth values and attitudes for the development of Jamaica as well as strategies to promote positive values and attitudes among the Jamaican youth. “

Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Mona, Professor Archibald McDonald, indicated that while the university recognised that, in addition to providing a sound education and all other social amenities, it was imperative to instill positive values and attitude in youths.

He said that there is a need to provide them with good role models and mentors, and help them to overcome the challenges that they are encountering.

Academic papers, case studies, work in progress/ posters, PhD Research, Roundtable Table proposals, non-academic contributions, white papers, policy briefs and concept notes/papers on a wide range of topics were discussed.

Balford Henry