Nevis Youth Minister Delivers Address
Charlestown, Nevis
April 1, 2019
The following is an address by Hon. Eric Evelyn Minister of Youth in the Nevis Island Administration on the observance of Youth Month 2019.
Fellow citizens and residents, it gives me great pleasure to address you on the occasion of Youth Month 2019. Annually, the Department of Youth, within the Ministry of Social Development observes Youth Month in April and the observance is specially used to celebrate all young people. Guided by its mission statement: “To provide quality experiences for youth between the ages of 11 and 30 necessary for positive growth and development that will lead to well-adjusted and civic-minded citizens,” the Department of Youth, through its programmes, seeks to inspire and empower our young people to take leadership roles in their communities.
The chosen theme for this year’s celebration is: “Your Rights, My Rights, Our Rights: Stand for Human Rights.” It is a call for all young people to raise awareness on the UNESCO sanctioned human rights. It is also a call for all youthful citizens to facilitate the creation of a world where people treat each other with respect and dignity; where peaceful solutions are sought between individuals, groups and nations. Ultimately, men, women, boys and girls should be given the opportunity to enjoy their human rights.
The path to achieving this goal begins with education. Therefore, in the spirit of raising awareness, kindly permit me to use this opportunity to highlight the 30 Human Rights and they are:
- We are all born free and equal
- Don’t discriminate
- The right to life
- No slavery
- No torture
- You have rights no matter where you go
- We’re all equal before the Law
- Your human rights are protected by Law
- No unfair detainment
- The right to trial
- We’re always innocent till proven guilty
- The right to privacy
- Freedom to move
- The right to seek a safe place to live
- Right to a nationality
- The right to marriage and family
- The right to your own things
- Freedom of thought
- Freedom of expression
- The right to public assembly
- The right to democracy
- The right to Social Security
- Workers’ rights
- The right to play
- Food and shelter for all
- The right to education
- The right to copyright
- A fair and free world
- The right to responsibility
- No one can take away your human rights.
Throughout the month of April, the Department of Youth will bring to focus the human rights through various activities that will see the participation of our young people from across the island including: Youth Day of Prayer, Youth for Human Rights March, Easter Camp dubbed “Camp Rights,” Youth in the News, Youth Impact 12, Be a Career Choice Day and visit to Her Majesty’s Prison. The events are varied, planned with young persons in mind and will therefore try to reach as many young persons as possible. I am admonishing all young people to take advantage of the offerings of the department throughout this month and to participate in as many activities as possible.
I take this opportunity to wish all our youth in Nevis a Happy Youth Month! This is your time to shine so make the best during the month of April. I also ask that all our citizens support the Department of Youth in their quest to empower our nation’s youth.
I now take pleasure in declaring Youth Month 2019 officially open.
May God continue to bless our young people and all of us.