Progressive Youth launches ‘All Jokes Aside’ tonight, creating a platform to influence social, economic and political change
“All Jokes Aside,” a digital programme by Progressive Youth, the official youth arm of the United Progressive Party (UPP), will be launched this evening, July 18, in advance of its “Youth Month” observation in August.
The programme will be aired for one hour on a bi-weekly basis and will be live-streamed on all UPP media platforms: Progressive 107.3 FM, MYUPP Facebook page, and the Party’s YouTube channel.
The group says the programme will create a youth-friendly platform to amplify the voices and actions of Antigua and Barbuda’s young people. Its objective is to demonstrate that the youth are ready to effect social, economic, and political change.
Each episode will feature a dynamic panel who will discuss national issues that have a direct impact on the youth – such as politics, education, the economy, crime, and health care.
The panel will also discuss existing policies and procedures affecting them. These include what it considers the insulting culture of “Check your Minister,” which continues to determine access to and eligibility for lands and some jobs.
“Today’s youth are informed, focused, creative, and determined in the pursuit of change,” declares programme host Johnathan Wehner.
He acknowledges that the country has many problems – some of which the young people will inherit. Therefore, they must choose to be a decisive voice in defining the solutions.
Accordingly, Progressive Youth will focus on the education, engagement and empowerment of young Antiguans and Barbudans.
To this end, the youth arm is targeting persons aged 15 to 35 years from all constituencies.
Meanwhile, UPP Political Leader Harold Lovell is applauding the Progressive Youth for spotlighting the issues that affect them and their peers.
He says young people should not sit on the sidelines in the planning of their future; rather, they should take the lead in developing programmes and policies that will uplift the country for generations to come.
Lovell adds that he is looking forward to celebrating with the youth group during the month of August.
Voter-registration drives and other activities will form part of the celebrations, and the group will also observe International Youth Day on August 12.
