ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen is encouraging young people to believe in their God-given potential, in order to make tangible contributions to the building of a better Jamaica.

Addressing the second in the series of the I Believe Initiative (IBI) Youth Consultative Conference (YCC) for the County of Middlesex, at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in St Ann, on October 20, the governor-general urged youth “never to give up regardless of your circumstances”.

“Through the YCC, we are presenting a raft of ideas and options to provide and help you to better understand how to navigate your way through this sometimes unfriendly world; how to avoid pitfalls, and to show you some strategies that you can use to engage in conversations with each other and with us as you assess pathways to achieving your goals in life,” he said.

Highlighting the tremendous contributions of the country’s past and present leaders, the governor-general encouraged the young persons at the conference to “eschew the evils of society and be a part of that dynamic conversation and that dynamic action, while you are developing your gifts”.

“I am so proud and confident in our young people, and that’s why I believe that we must train them and give them the tools and trust them to do what is right,” the governor-general said.

He informed the hundreds of youth participating in the conference to remember that there is a national aspect to their lives and that they can no longer stand aside and observe.

“You have to jump in the raging water, go through the fire to make this country the place where we can live, work, raise our families and do business. You are not allowed to be a bystander. We all must be in this together. Together we aspire, together we achieve. I, therefore, say to you all, find and occupy your place,” the governor-general said.