FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Vice-president of the Trelawny Steering Committee of the National Youth Council of Jamaica, Orville Ricketts, has charged that there has been a decline in interest of Jamaican youth to serve as volunteers, sparking a “national disaster”.

Ricketts — who served as a youth councillor in 2022 — made the charge during a panel discussion at the Social Development Commission (SDC) and Trelawny Parish Development Committee Conference and Quiz, at the First Assembly of God Church in Falmouth last Thursday.

“I think we are faced with a national crisis as it relates to youth volunteerism. Not many youths are interested or intrigued to really volunteer,” said Ricketts in response to a question from moderator Sherine Walker, director of governance at the SDC.

He stressed the need for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to rekindle youth participation in volunteer efforts.

“My vision is that to get back on track as it relates to gathering youth is having more collaboration, not only between community members, but other stakeholders, maybe councillors or Members of Parliament,” added Ricketts.

When asked by Walker to share some of the benefits of youth involvement in organised groups and community development, Ricketts argued that volunteerism improves employability.

“Volunteer experience adds value to resumes and applications,” said Ricketts.

Meanwhile, keynote speaker Omar Frith, executive director of the SDC, acknowledged the decline in volunteerism, but argued that Jamaicans are selective in providing free services.

“I am not sure that it is that volunteerism is dying because people are volunteering for things that they want to volunteer for. There are many people giving free service in things that they want to give free service for, things that they want to give free service in,” said Frith.

According to Frith, understanding people’s motivations could assist in encouraging participation in voluntary efforts.

“And so sometimes we have to connect the goal — what is it that persons want to achieve? Is it that what they are seeking to participate in they are unable to connect an end result to the process that we are encouraging them to do?” questioned Frith.

He lauded the leadership of the SDC in Trelawny, especially Parish Manager Paula Barrett and Field Supervisor Devon Brown.

Frith commended the parish for surpassing the national average in the number of verified Community Development Committees (CDCs), noting that of the 481 CDCs across Jamaica, only 238 are verified. In contrast, 20 of Trelawny’s 30 CDCs have achieved verified status.

“Given where volunteerism and service is nationally, given the apathy that exists across the country, and even in this parish, because I know you have challenges to mobilise participation, especially from youth, for the context your total number of communities within the parish, your total number of DACs [Development Area Committees], you have a high percentage within your own parish.

“We are proud of the entire country, but where there is an example we have to look at what are the best practices in Trelawny which we can replicate across the country,” Frith said.

“And we look forward not to engaging with not just the parish management but many of the stakeholders who have perhaps the template to demonstrate what participatory leadership looks like, [and] we want to engage your political representatives as well as your private and civic representatives,” added Frith.

Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles and mayor of Falmouth C Junior Gager also lauded the efforts of the SDC in Trelawny