Transformation to include the youth in all ministerial portfolios |24 November 2020
The youth will be the future of our country and as such needs a good and strong foundation and transformation to include them into the various ministerial portfolios, while its council should function as facilitator, instead of an agency.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie Celine Zialor made the above remarks yesterday, following a courtesy visit at the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) at the ex-Sacos Tower.
Not new to the council, Minister Zialor has over the years been a popular figure within the organisation through her various training and mentoring sessions.
Yesterday’s visit, her first as minister, was the chance to meet with the staff and listen to their aspirations, as well their visions regarding the much needed transformations within the framework and functions of the SNYC.
Among the top priorities to be targeted is the structure and different functions and also to incorporate family within the portfolio, while working on strategies to involve youth in the other ministerial portfolios.
Another area to be instantly targeted is to modernise the law to give the SNYC board the same importance as all the other existing boards in the country.
Elected on May 4, 2019 the board comprises seven members including a chairperson and vice-chair all of whom are youths.
It also has a secretary attached to it.
The SNYC board is the only public board which is elected, through its affiliated members, and its role is to advise and approve matters related to the functions of SNYC.
The SNYC is an independent statutory body aimed at promoting the active participation of youth in community and national programmes and projects.
It is also to assist young people in meeting challenges, valorising achievements and creating opportunities, as well as encouraging the collective effort of all partners and ownership of programmes by the youth.
Its mission is to provide equal opportunities for the physical, artistic, spiritual, educational, and moral development of the youth through empowerment, participation, programmes, and advocacy of youth interests at national and international level.
The accompanying photographs show Minister Zialor interacting with staff during her visit yesterday.
Roland Duval
Photos: Jude Morel
