Youth participants from Cayman Islands’ high schools and tertiary institutions took part in a presentation by sociology lecturer Dr. April Bernard from Barbados during the CDB organised youth forum, Vybzing at the Westin Casuarina 17 May 2012

Forty-seven participants have come together at the Westin Casuarina Resort today (Thursday, 17 May) to grapple with some of the issues facing youth in the Cayman Islands and the broader Caribbean region.

Organised by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with local partners, the Vybzing Cayman Islands Youth Forum is getting young people thinking about and discussing crime, citizen security, victimization and the other challenges facing Cayman’s youth.

The aim is to help generate positive energy, possible solutions and action in response to the issues and challenges they face. Top three presentations produced during the exercise will be aired at the closing event of the CDB Annual Board of Governor’s conference next week.

The young people are guided in their deliberations by presentations from Dr. April Bernard of the University of the West Indies, Barbados; United Nations Development Programme consultant Ms Paula A. Mohamed and CDB Portfolio Manager (social sector division), Ms Deidre Clarendon. The presentations are themed on Citizen Security and the Development Agenda.

Participants today represent University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), John Gray High School, Lehman Scott High School, Cayman Islands Further Education Centre, Triple C, Cayman Prep and High, Cayman International School, Passport to Success and a political science major in Regent’s College in London, Donovan Kellyman.

Opening remarks from Minister of Education, Training and Employment the Hon. Rolston Anglin, JP; CDB Vice President (Corporate Services) and Bank Secretary, Mrs. Yvette Lemonias Seale and CDB Information Services Unit Manager, Ms Angela Parris set the tone for the forum.

Partners in this youth empowerment exercise include UCCI and the ministries of Education, Training & Employment, and Finance, Tourism & Development.

Vybzing is a CDB youth outreach programme which recognises that the region’s youth must become active players and critical contributors to the development process

Set up to provide youth with opportunities to express themselves, Vybzing encourages young people to appreciate diversity and the challenges and opportunities of living and working in small developing countries.

Promoting networking and information about youth initiatives regionally and beyond, the programme helps raise regional youth awareness about development issues, encouraging them to take action towards shaping their future.