The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage (MYSCH) held a meet & greet of the newly-appointed National Youth Commission in the presence of several Caucus members on Monday, 8 August. 

Joining the Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Bernie Bush; were Premier, Hon. G. Wayne Panton; Deputy Premier, Hon. Christopher Saunders; Minister for Health, Wellness and Home Affairs, Hon Sabrina Turner; Minister for Financial Services & Commerce, Investment, Innovation and Social Development, Hon. Andre Ebanks; Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Parliamentary Secretaries: Mr. Isaac Rankine, Ms Heather Bodden and Mrs. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks.

Addressing the Commission, Premier Panton said: “The PACT Government is determined to create a brighter future for Caymanian youth – a future where they are prepared, confident, capable and empowered to thrive in their own country. 

“The newly-appointed National Youth Commission will help identify and recommend necessary changes to create that brighter future,” he added. 

In his remarks, Minister for Youth, Hon. Bernie Bush said: “I am encouraged by the interest, willingness to serve and attendance by each of you as we work to ensure that youth-related issues are highlighted and addressed at such a high level. Not only will the Commission help give our young people a voice on matters that affect their lives now, but it will also assist in shaping policies and programmes which directly and indirectly affect our youth going forward.”

The 13-member Commission comprises:

• Dr. Ruthlyn Pomares (Chairperson) – Registered Medical Practitioner
• Cottrell Ellis – Psychologist
• Dajsha Samuels-McLean – Attorney-at-Law
• Monina Thompson – Youth Representative
• Reon Porter – Youth Representative
• Tashell Dawson – Youth Representative (Sister Islands) 
• Natasja Levy – Layperson 
• Stephen Price – Finance Representative
• Laila Shim – National Drug Council Representative
• Camila Ferreira – Ministry of Education Representative
• Mehr Petkovsek – Ministry of Social Development Representative
• Alanis Linwood – Amor – Ministry of Youth Representative and
• Mellony Bryan – Waugh – Youth Services Unit

Chairperson, Dr. Ruthlyn Pomares shares, “I am very encouraged by the tone and energy of the Meet & Greet. This was the first time that members had met as a body, and it is clear that everyone is as keen as I am to ensure that the work of the Commission is successful in meaningfully impacting Cayman’s youth.”

(MYSCH)