‘Youth Connect’ was another successful event in a ‘fantastic’ Convention Week, Tabor reports
“Youth Connect,” a forum hosted by the Progressive Youth on Thursday night,
April 18, is being hailed as a success, as the United Progressive Party grooms
young people to assume leadership roles in their country.
This event was one of the activities leading up to the Party’s 12 th Biennial
Convention set for this weekend, and Public Relations Officer Damani Tabor
says it has been a fantastic convention week, to date.
He praises the excellent address delivered by keynote speaker Senator
Damion Crawford, the shadow minister of education and community
development for the People’s National Party (PNP) in Jamaica.
Crawford spoke to the audience about their responsibility – using politics,
economics, civics, and education – to build the type of country in which they
would like to live.
Along with other panelists, Crawford also addressed the young people on the
topic, “How is Today’s Economy Affecting the Youth? The Disparity between
Economic Growth and their Pockets.”
The local panelists were Sowerby Gomes, technical director of the Antigua and
Barbuda Football Association and a finance professional, and two
entrepreneurs, Member of Parliament Anthony Smith and Tricia Edwards, the
owner of TKTops.
They spoke and answered questions on multiple issues that included
entrepreneurship; the importance of financial literacy; and access to financial
services.
Tabor says this type of event underscores the Party’s commitment to youth
development; and, more importantly, it allows young people to take the lead
in educating and uplifting their peers.
He congratulated the Party’s youth arm for putting on a well-organized and
executed event from which benefits can be derived well into the future.
“Youth Connect” was designed to inspire, educate, and empower the youth,
and was held under the theme, “The Contributions of Youth Talent to Socio-
economic Development.”
Meanwhile, another Convention Week activity was held on Wednesday, April 17
The Party, through its branches, recognized stalwarts who had blazed the
trail, including former Deputy Political Leader Wilmoth Daniel.
Parliamentarians and caretakers, along with branch members, went through
their respective constituencies, delivering certificates of recognition and other
items of appreciation, tokens, and gifts.
Tabor says this gesture was greatly appreciated by those who were honoured,
noting that the institution has to remember, acknowledge, and integrate the
wisdom of the past to build a foundation for the future.
Tuesday night, April 16, saw the Party and its MPs, caretakers, branch
members, and well-wishers coming together to have fun with a Games Night
and Karaoke event at the Barefoot Bar at Pensioners Beach.
The business of the Convention is set for Sunday, April 21, and will be
preceded by an official opening ceremony on Saturday evening, April 20.
