The Editor,Sir:

The idea of a youth congress is a good one and indeed, the first of its kind was held at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday, July 1. I respect the aim of this congress, which was aimed at bringing to light some of the major issues affecting our youth on a whole. Such a setting should comprise discussions between youth and senior ministers of Government, including our Prime Minister, hence, allowing for the youth voices to be heard.

However, was this congress instituted for the purpose of discussing some very serious issues affecting Jamaica's youth, or was it for the purpose of political campaigning so as to present a party with some political advantage?

If one should examine the events of the evening, one might be sceptical about the real purpose of this congress. The idea of a youth congress has been proposed for several years but the timing of this event was concurrent with election activities. Moreover, young people were bombarded by the constant phrase from ministers regarding the achievement of their government, specifically "this government".

If the youth are expected to make any political decisions as it relates to election, then that is our decision, and therefore, no attempts should be made to persuade us at an event that was supposedly designed to advocate for increased education and training opportunities for young people. Simply put, stressing the achievements of the Government can in no way help to correct the more serious issues affecting this country; nor will campaigning at such an event help to change the reality that now exists in our country.

I also noticed that, at the event, there were two PNP candidates who, by the way, are not ministers of government. Was this aimed at garnering support for their campaigns? I prefer to let others answer that question. Besides that, there were many other signs that suggest that this youth congress was not necessarily aimed at advocating for young people, but for some other purpose.

Please recall that this youth congressaimed at giving a voice to young people, but in the Prime Minister's presentation as guest speaker, one heard the repetitive phrase of "not changing course" as well as the achievements of "my administration". She stressed the point that "my party is proud to have over 20 young candidates".

When was it that the aspect of political parties and their respective campaigns became a major issue to young people? Or better yet, how did we move from prevailing issues such as education and employment opportunities to "not changing course", and the already-established 'first female president of the PNP and first female Prime Minister'? Are these the 'issues' that concerned young people, like me, who attended such a meeting wanted to hear?

I would advise our leaders to be careful how far they go in exploiting others. If an event is designed for a particular purpose, then by all means it should be consistent with such intent. I hope for the continuation of such a project with the correct directives and aims and can only anticipate that our youth will become more enlightened to the seriousness of the issues that affect them. I wish to congratulate the organisers of the event for an overall grand occasion and I look forward to its continuation.

I am, etc.,

LUCEIAN CREARY

luceian_creary@yahoo.com

Kingston