Cayman: MYSCH Introduces the National Youth Commission

Grand Cayman, 11 August 2022 – 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)