Youth development is a multidimensional process through which young people are assisted to meet their educational or development needs. The vision of the National Youth Policy is that of Jamaican youth realising their full potential through access to opportunities to develop, participate and contribute, as responsible citizens, to peaceful, prosperous and caring society. But how do they reach their full potential unless they are given the opportunity? On Saturday, March 23, 2008, this newspaper published an article titled 'Youth information centre for St Thomas by year-end'.

Dania Beckford, youth infor-mation specialist at the National Centre for Youth Development, was responding to a letter by Charlie Brown published on May 19, 2008, titled 'St Thomas youth need help'. The information specialist stated that the parish of St Thomas was next to benefit from this imperative resource (a youth information centre) for youth development.

A friendly reminder

She further stated that, to date, two locations had been identified to host the youth information centre: one at the now-closed Goodyear tyre factory, and the other on land adjoining the Social Development Commission's office, both located on the Springfield main road. Site visits had been conducted and proper protocol arrangements are already under way to formalise the agreement to set up a well-designed reconfiguration of four containers in the allocated space of approximately 467 square metres at the latter location. The project is funded by UNICEF and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009 calendar year.

I do know that Jamaica is suffering from serious economic hardship and funding for some projects have been placed on hold. Nonetheless, I am just reminding Ms Beckford that the youth in St Thomas are still in need of help in the form of a youth centre. This is just a reminder with regard to the promise.

I am, etc.,

CHARLES BROWN

charliebrown1004@hotmail.com

Morant Bay, St Thomas