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Over 20,000 Youths showing their support for the New National Party

Young people supporting the New National Party (NNP) have given their commitment to stand up and be counted side by side their political organization, acknowledging that Grenada today is safe and secure.

Over one hundred and fifty delegates gathered at the McDonald College in St. Patrick’s on Sunday 20th April, in what was considered by top party officials as a day of celebration marking the development achievements administrated over the past twelve years and positive change for the future.

The Convention, which was the first part of the day’s proceedings leading up to a grand celebration rally in the afternoon, focused primarily on Government’s youth development programmes, the past, the present and the future.

The New NNP is seeking to have greater youth participation in the decision-making process relating to the country’s socio-economic and political affairs, regarded throughout the occasion as a movement of greater changes.

NNP Youth Delegates from the fifteen Constituencies came together in discussion on several socio-economic issues, most of which are today taking a serious toll on societies Worldwide.

Among them were Youth and Politics, Law and Order, Unemployment and the Cost-of-Living.

On the issue of Youth and Politics, it was felt that the subject should be taught in school and young people should exercise the will to speak out more on issues which affect their lives, as well as engaging in the work of the Party by staying in close association with the organization’s candidates.

Looking at the issue of crime and violence as enshrined in the whole aspect of law and order, the NNP youth delegates are of the opinion that lawmen should seriously make policing a career and young boys and girls must be encouraged to join the Police Boys Club since it would help them in their early years to be disciplined.

They looked at the family and proper parenting as integral factors in the maintenance of law and order, the need for factual information from the media on issues which can be directed to agitate the population, as well as the need for counseling sessions for juvenile offenders.

Another working group discussed unemployment issues and it was found that there should be the availability of more skills programmes and personal development sessions for persons who are unemployed.

They gave credit to the IMANI personal development sessions and thought that it should be broadbased to incorporate persons who are also unemployed.

They were also of the view that there should be more motivational programmes for persons involved in business ventures; agriculture should be promoted as a means of business, Government should get potential investors to take interest in youth development and there should be the design of a more systematic way of sharing information.

One of the plaguing issues confronting the World today is cost-of-living and the NNP youth delegates believed that there should be more educational programmes on budgeting, rationalize spending, emphasis on marketing, immediate action to stamp out items or foods low in nutritional value, and a closer working relationship with the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council to find innovative ways of preparing foods to suite the Grenadian apetite.

The delegates also suggested that people should cut down on the use of imported foods and the Government should pursue an aggressive awareness campaign to promote the creation of cottage industries.

NNP General Secretary, Hon. Claris Charles, who also holds the portfolios of Education, Labour and Legal affairs, told the Youth delegates that they have to keep their political Party in mind at all times, since it is the consciousness that will stimulate them to defend the organization.

She called on them to play their roles responsibly and to be serious in taking charge of their affairs.

“Whatever you do or don’t do, your future will depend on it,” said Charles.

She told the young NNP pioneers that they ought to be armed with information concerning the development of the country over the past twelve years and particularly the recovery from hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

Mentioning the wave of criticism about the party as it’s propagated by the Opposition National Democratic Congress, the NNP General Secretary said ‘you have to go out there and be in a position to win friends and influence people.’

She urged the delegates to go out on an aggressive mobilization campaign to win people over on the side of the NNP, since the future would depend on the education of the Nation and the strides the Government has been making together with the promotion of the Government’s plans in the ensuing five-year period.

In advising the youth of the Nation, Honourable Claris Charles said  “what you do now in this life that matters”.

Concluding her address to the Convention, she urged participants to be always passionate about their country. According to her, ‘I love my country.”

The new Youth Executive selected in the election process includes:-