[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Saint Lucia National Youth Council is finally done with its interim as of Saturday May 27, 2017. A newly elected, motivated and hardworking executive has been elected and the team looks forward to making a positive mark on the island. The executive is as follows: Jeshrun Andrew – President, Nyus Alfred – First Vice President, Ajani Lebourne – Second Vice President, Raejean Montoute – General Secretary, Racquel John – Assistant General Secretary, Anya Edwin – Treasurer, Chaddie Faucher – Public Relations Officer. The National Youth Council’s general elections were held at the Financial Centre in Pointe Seraphine.
According to the executive, the campaign process preceding elections included heavy social media presence, media interviews, formation of teams, release of manifestoes and visiting the various District Youth and Sports Councils around the island. The individuals vying for the positions on the NYC executive presented to each district, explaining what it was they hoped to achieve if given the opportunity to serve. The candidates prepared for months before elections, forming teams, for the first time in a long time.
President Jeshrun Andrew noted the plans for NYC in the upcoming years: “There are a number of things that we want to work on including constitution reform, official implementation of the current draft of the youth policy, revitalization of dormant district councils, increasing regional and international collaboration and so much more.”
The National Youth Council was not very active or recognized in the past few years and the new council plans to rebrand the organization. To accommodate this, on June 6 a social media campaign was initiated called “We Are NYC”.
According to NYC: “This campaign will seek to educate the public, particularly the Saint Lucian youth population both here and in the diaspora, about the Saint Lucia National Youth Council as an institution.”
The campaign has been decorating social media platforms with a colourful image and the various issues that will be addressed. The aim is to create an “organized voice” within the youth of Saint Lucia and to catalyse education of factors affecting youth development as well as plan ways for improvements.
A number of competitions are expected be in motion for this campaign to encourage a unified effort and change among our young people. So far “We Are NYC” has received much feedback and the executive hopes to keep it moving.
