September 20, 2024
Under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) hosted the 28th Edition of the National Youth Awards, on Thursday September 19, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency (Ballroom), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
This year’s event was held under the Theme: “Unleashing Potential: Celebrating the Excellence of Trinidad and Tobago’s Youth”, which encapsulates the spirit of innovation, resilience and leadership, that our young people embody.
Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, during her address, highlighted the many advantages of being a part of the National Youth Awards. The President stated, “Being nominated will live on long after this moment; it will serve to motivate your peers and send the message that equal opportunities exist for all across our cosmopolitan society”. Her Excellency urged the awardees to, “Stand for all that is good, right and noble,” emphasizing that “This is an opportunity to rise above the disadvantages of cynicism and take our country forward to a healthier place”.
Youth Development and National Service Minister, the Honourable Foster Cummings said he was “honoured to have Her Excellency, Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as patron of this prestigious event as it signals her commitment to securing our future and the youth of this nation”. The Minister noted that, “For 28 years, the Youth Division has led the charge for celebrating our nation’s youth. Guided by the National Youth Policy for Trinidad and Tobago 2020-2025, we at the MYDNS continue to create avenues towards the holistic development of our young people and to promote programmes, to enhance the socio-economic condition of Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens; emphasizing economic inclusiveness, greater equity and more meaningful citizen participation.”
As the Ministry’s premier event, the National Youth Awards serves to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of our nation’s youth, who stand as empowered co-creators of Trinidad and Tobago’s sustainable development. The Theme for this year also embodies a dual focus: recognizing and celebrating the immense talent and capabilities of our nation’s youth, while inspiring both the nominees and the wider youth population of Trinidad and Tobago to realize their own potential.
Assemblyman Joel Sampson, Secretary for Community Development, Youth Development and Sport – Tobago House of Assembly acknowledged, during his remarks at the event, that the cadre of awardees were “the cream of the crop”. Assemblyman Sampson noted, “The role of the THA and MYDNS is to assist with the unleashing of gifts within every young person in Trinidad and Tobago through the creation of programs such as the Pro Youth Initiative. Pro Youth is an amalgamation of services, strategically designed to bridge the gap between our youth and opportunities.”
The Assemblyman told the youth “Your accomplishments remind us that unlocked potential has the power to transform life, communities and nations. Through your success you are showing our country and the world what Trinidad and Tobago is capable of.” Sampson implored the awardees to remember that, “We cannot always build a future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future”.
The 2024 Edition of the National Youth Awards coincided with the Commonwealth “Year of Youth 2023” which was first declared at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2022, to underscore the significant contributions of young people to national and international development. At the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London, it was decided that the Year of Youth be extended until the next CHOGM in October, 2024. The National Youth Awards, 2024, proudly highlighted our youth’s contributions within this broader Commonwealth framework, as they continue to shape the future of our nation and the world.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourages civic-minded citizens to contribute to National Service across Trinidad and Tobago.
-END-