Dr Karen Hilliard (second left), mission director USAID/Jamaica, seems to be in high sprits as she, along with members of 'Yute X', rocks to the beat of the St Patrick Foundation's All-Stars band at the recent launch of the youth advocacy conference at Cuddy'z Sports Bar, New Kingston. - Norman Grindley /Deputy Chief Photographer

Popular New Kingston sports bar and restaurant, Cuddy'z, was host to the recent launch of the youth advocacy conference Yute X: Xpression, Xcitement, Xtratainment.

The Jamaican Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has organised the conference which will be held from May 7-9 at the Knutsford Court hotel, New Kingston.

Andrew Francis, convener of the JYAN, told The Gleaner that the conference seeks to promote youth advocacy and to encourage young people to become passionate about issues that affect them.

"We want youths to become active in advocating and talking about the issues that are of importance to them," Francis said.

"It is important for young people to have a voice and to raise their issues and concerns," he added.

The main objectives of the conference are to strengthen the state of advocacy in the Caribbean region, to establish partnerships within the territory and to foster advocacy among the youth of the Caribbean.

Dr Karen Hilliard, USAID mission director, stated that the upcoming 'Yute X' conference was an important way to raise awareness of the problems Jamaica's youth face and promote youth-centred policy development.

Dr Hilliard identified the issues of adolescent reproductive health, substance abuse, violence and disabilities as some of the major factors affecting Jamaican youth.

"We (the USAID) strongly believe that one of the main ways to understand the issues facing our youth is to listen to them and educate ourselves about the media through which they communicate," Dr Hilliard said.

The JYAN website, 'click', was also launched at the event.