The development and welfare of the youth in the Virgin Islands continue to be a priority for the Government, as the Ministry of Education and Culture moves forward with realising the goals of the National Youth Policy.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcia Potter, the ministry has secured the services of Consultant and Development Specialist at Eversley Links and Leads Inc., Ms. Dwynette Eversley, to provide support to the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) to ensure the successful completion of the following initiatives:

• Draft the Youth Policy Implementation Work Plan
• Lead the drafting of DYAS Strategic Plan
• Institutional strengthening the plan inclusive of a training agenda and actual roll out, to provide capacity strengthening related to the two main components:
  
  • Youth Development Work
  • Organisational Leadership and Management
• Lead on the development of the National Youth Commission, the National Youth Council and the National Youth Parliamen

Ms. Eversley, during her tenure as the Acting Regional Director and Programme Manager for the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Caribbean Centre, worked with different organizations for over 20 years, creating an enabling environment for the social, economic and political participation of young people.

Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, stated that he was pleased that the ministry retained the services of Ms. Eversley, a specialist in youth development, to assist the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports in realising the objectives of the National Youth Policy and National Sports Policy. This, he said, is being done as Government continues to improve the framework to support the economic, social and political development of the Territory’s youth.

The Minister added, “We look forward to the expertise she will bring and I am pleased that there will be a transfer of knowledge and skills to the staff of the department. This is important as we strive to provide the youth with the requisite tools to allow for personal and professional empowerment.”

Assistant Secretary and the desk officer for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye, will work closely with the team.

The Ministry of Education and Culture remains committed to creating a culture of excellence.