By Landing Ceesay
The Chairperson of the Conference Committee of the National Youth and Conference Festival, Ndegen Jobe, has urged participants to take discussions seriously.
“My fellow delegates, the decisions we are to make in this convergence will affect us in the next two years. Millions of dalasis will be spent in this convergence, this is the taxpayers’ money, and we must make sure that we take the discussions seriously and behave in a civil manner during the course of this important exercise,” the Chairperson stated.
Ms. Jobe further charged the participants to make sure that they reflect on the realities on the ground and should be cognizant of the fact that they are representing more than 70% of the Population and that it is a privilege anchored to them. She said to whom much is given, much is expected of.
“This year, the Conference delegates will take a critical diagnostic of eight thematic areas ranging from; Youth Migration Management, Education, Entrepreneurship, Employment, Youth in the creative industry, Tourism and Culture, Information Technology, and access to information, Gender Based Violence, Sexual and reproductive rights and HIV, Youth in Political Participation, Environment, Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Agriculture,” she informed the participants.
Ms. Jobe further stated that the thematic areas all have a bearing on this year’s theme, anchored on the role young people play in the maintenance of peace in the country.
Ms. Jobe said the Conference sessions are not meant for entertainment, reminding participants that they have gathered ahead of the Conference and that they knew what lies ahead.
The Committee Chairperson said NAYCONF has helped shape the minds of so many young people.
She added that their top youth leaders and public officials have made significant success during NAYCONF, and it has helped them achieve so many things.
“I was meant to understand that Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie user to chair this very committee, today he sits at the high table as minister. This is to say that; the little things you do are the very things that could catapult you to a destination beyond imagination,” she said.
The Conference Committee Chairperson made these remarks at the official opening ceremony of the Conference in Banjul on Saturday