MANDEVILLE, Manchester – The Ministry of Youth and Culture through its Youth Information Centre here recently had its third annual Youth Leadership Forum.

The event was held on the grounds of deCarteret College under the theme – Year of Competence & Caring, Growth & Development – with the aim to build the capacity of student leaders across Region 5 (Manchester and St Elizabeth) to be better advocates for their peers.

“Students must learn to care about their fellow students especially if they hold the post of student councillor. We at the Ministry of Youth & Culture will always do our best to build their capacity so they can be competent in executing their tasks and that is how we plan to grow and develop youth leaders and secure a strong future for Jamaica,” said Youth Officer in the Ministry of Youth & Culture and organiser of the forum, Keitho Nembhard.

From experience, Nembhard said, he realised that students and youth are less reluctant to receive advice from peers as opposed to adults in authority such as a guidance counsellor, form teacher, pastor or parents. Making that support available is key, he said.

The Office of the Children’s Registry was included in the day’s event to educate student leaders on how to intervene as peer counsellors by being armed with the necessary knowledge.

Identifying symptoms of child abuse, where to get help when a child is abused or goes missing, how to respond when the situation is delicate such as a staff member at school abusing a child, were among the issues explored.

“The views of our children are important and must be heard at all levels. Gone are the days when a child should be seen and not heard,” said Nembhard.

To further enhance their leadership skills, youth advocates were trained in areas including project planning and management, conflict management, teamwork and child rights and advocacy.

Nembhard said that the forum saw its second largest turn out in its three-year life span with 158 students representing 15 schools in Region Five.

The National Commercial Bank and the Manchester North Western Member of Parliament, Mikael Phillips used the occasion to pledge assistance for needy students in Manchester.