More young persons will be appointed to advisory boards of agencies and departments within the Ministry of Education, Skills, You
th, and Information to enable them to have a greater role in the decision-making process.

Portfolio Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon made the disclosure during the 15th sitting of the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica at Gordon House on Monday.

“The boards in the Ministry of Education need to have young people on them; your voices have to be there. Every board that the permanent secretary has given to me, a young person will be appointed on there because your voices are absolutely important,” she said.

“We cannot be the Ministry of Youth, developing solutions for tomorrow and for today, and not have your voices there and that’s a commitment that I again make to all of you,” she pledged.

Dr Morris Dixon said the ministry needs the help of the youth in thinking through the issues that are facing Jamaica.

She urged them to “put your proposals on the table and get it to me so I can see what you are thinking. Your voices matter, your opinions matter to our Government”.

Dr Morris Dixon said the Administration was moving towards greater youth engagement and encouraged the young people in attendance to take ownership of the policies that will affect their lives.

“Our young people’s energy, creativity and innovative spirit are truly unmatched. Those qualities are essential to addressing the challenges that we face as a nation and even more essential, in achieving the ambitious goals set forth in Vision 2030.

“The Government recognises the value of our youth, that is why unlike many countries in the Caribbean, we have a portfolio and department dedicated specifically for youth empowerment and engagement… your involvement in national development cannot be overstated. It is through your engagement that we will build the Jamaica we all aspire to, a Jamaica that is innovative, resilient, and forward thinking,” she stressed.

— JIS