Orange Day with Lola’s SVG
1 in 3 women worldwide still experience physical or sexual violence
The
CARICOM
Youth
Ambassadors’ Committee has continued
its
‘Orange
campaign
to
end
against
women
Day’
violence
and
girls.
Committee Members continued to
promote
the
campaign
by
wearing
orange
or
orange
paraphernalia to commemorate the day, social media promotion and engagement.
“The
United
Nations
Secretary-General’s
Campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women” has proclaimed
the 25th of each month as ‘Orange Day’, a day to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls, for the UNiTE Campaign.”
“UNiTE to End Violence against Women” In July, the Committee engaged in community outreach involving Lola’s SVG, a local restaurant, in the promotion of the campaign. Members were hosted by the establishment for an hour during which ribbons were presented to members of the public both young and old. These persons were educated on the importance of Orange Day as well as encouraged to take their own steps to bolster the campaign
with
social
media
postings
using
#CYASVG,
#orangeday and #UNite hashtags. Women and girls together account for about 70 percent of all human trafficking victims detected globally
C.Y.A Social
Movie Night and Social
Something that is easily relatable to many is a movie of interest. The CYA team hosted a movie night held at a well -known and alluring restaurant, the Flow Wine Bar and Restaurant. An invitation was extended to various youth groups nationwide and the response we received was not disappointing. The movie of the night was Hotel Rwanda, a 2004 American historical drama film directed by Terry George, based on the Rwandan Genocide which occurred during the spring of 1994. The film explored acts of genocide and political corruption. The movie ended on a happy note where we saw those who survived were re-united with their families, but left room for much reflection and discussion. Among the attendees were members of the Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union Youth Arm and Youth Empowered for Community Action (YECA)
Team Adventure Get-A-Way The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors of St. Vincent and the Grenadines understand the importance of unity in team work. In light of this, the team was taken to an off shore fort only accessible by boat. Fort Duvernette, which is located south of mainland St. Vincent, is a 195-foot-high volcanic plug comprised of hard columnar basalt adorned with the remains of stone walls and cannons that were used to protect one of our six towns called Calliaqua. Committee Members journeyed up a total of 255 steps reaching the peak of the rock to enjoy refreshments, games and team-building activities.
Expressing Our Disabilities Concert Aiming to educate its students with special educational needs in a way that addresses their individuality, the School for Children with with School for Special Needs - St. Vincent
Living above the Condition
Special Needs continues to celebrate the lives of all its students with its annual special needs concert at the Kingstown Methodist Church.
March 21st has been
Hall.
celebrated
globally
This year, the concert featured performances
for the last eleven
from some of SVG’s top soca artistes and DJs
years
World
and was headlined by the school’s talented
Syndrome
students. The CARICOM Youths Ambassadors’
Day, and each year
SVG Committee members were pleased to have
there has been a growing awareness towards the
witnessed these activities, as it is realized that
condition, as patients, families, and even persons
each child is special in their own way and they
who are not directly affected by the condition ake
should be afforded the opportunity to showcase
a stand to have their voices heard.
their skills and talents while enjoying all that life
This year the CARICOM Ambassadors’ SVG
has to give.
Committee Members commemorated World Down
CYA SVG Committee members continue to
Syndrome Day with a visit to The School for
forge a greater relationship with the School for
Child with Special Needs, where they interacted
Children with Special Needs SVG and vows to
with
engage in the school’s upcoming activities.
Down
students, including
as
those with Down
Syndrome, as well as their teachers and were able to learn more about the disability. It is a shared initiative among all members of the CYA SVG Committee to do more in building awareness about Down Syndrome, while realizing that no one is limited by their disability. It is the belief of the CYA (SVG) Committee that the lives and achievement of persons living with disabilities must be celebrated.
C.Y.A In The Media
CSME Video Series
The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors released a four part video series on the CARICOM Single market and Economy (CSME), geared towards educating young persons in the following areas:
“The CSME is a regional
Cassica Hutchins
1. What is the CSME? Presented by Committee Member Cassica Hutchinson, this introductory video for the series gave a brief history and outlined the purpose of the CSME. 2. The Elements of the CSME Presented by the CSME Focal Point for St. Vincent, Sylvonne Jack, this video examined the key elements of the CSME. 3. The Benefits of the CSME Presented by Deputy Male CYA, Tariq Roberts, the various benefits of the CSME were discussed with a special focus on those most relevant to young persons.
Sylvonne Jack
CSME Video Series at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pCG8ZppJqNs
issues.”
“There are five key elements: free movement of goods, free movement of service, capital, free movement of people and the right to establishment.”
“Whenever the CSME is
Tariq Roberts
4. The Implications of the CSME Presented by the CARICOM Male and Female Youth Ambassadors, Andre Browne and Chelcia Ferdinand, the final part of the video series examined the implications of the CSME for young persons. The first video was released on Monday 30th May 2016 with the a new videos released every Monday over the following three weeks. View the
organization, established to promote the regional cooperation on political, social and economic
explained or discussed, one phrase that you are most likely to hear repeated is free movement. It is within this idea of free movement where you will find quite a few benefits.”
“With the CSME comes
Chelcia Ferdinand & Andre Browne
greater opportunities for nationals to study and work in CARICOM countries of their choice. This means that we should examine our own skills and qualifications and undergo training if necessary.”
“Be A CARICOM Hero!” Taking Over The Airwaves
A series media interviews were held at various media houses across St. Vincent, in which Committee Members discussed national matters, upcoming events and the Committee’s ‘Orange Day’ campaign - the fight to end violence against women. The Committee’s aim was to increase its social presence to better achieve its aims and goals. Media visits and interviews were done at NBC Radio, Star fm, WE fm, Xtreme Radio and SVG TV.
National Consultation with CARICOM's Regional Marijuana Commission CARICOM's Regional Marijuana Commission hosted a national consultation to gain the opinions of the Vincentian public on the legalization and/or decriminalisation of marijuana in SVG. The consultation was held at the Foreign Affairs Conference Room and was attended by members of the CYA (SVG) Committee.
The attendees engaged with the commissioners on various aspects of the issue such as the potential economic impact of legalisation, the physical and mental health implications as well as the societal effects. The distinction between decriminalisation and legalisation as well as the steps to be taken to achieve such were also discussed. Decriminalization means that a given activity no longer qualifies as criminal conduct and can only be treated as a civil infraction, but that activity is unregulated. Legalization ultimately means the ability to lawfully regulate a given activity, as well as the fact that that activity is no longer considered criminal conduct
#iAmSober Campaign
It is always important to keep in mind that everything has a limit, and that surpassing one’s limit can have detrimental consequences.
With this is mind, the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors’ (SVG) Committee launched their #IAMSOBER Campaign as part of their alcohol awareness drive, urging persons, especially youths, to be in control of their alcohol consumption or otherwise abstain. Drinking beyond one’s limit can cause a range of social consequences, and increase an individual’s risk for various health problems. In an effort to tackle the issue head on, the CYA SVG Committee created the I AM SOBER hash tag and associated it with social media posts. Graphics highlighting the negative social impact of under-age drinking and drinking while driving were shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. All members of the CYA SVG Committee are urging all Vincentians, especially the nation’s youth to take control; know your limit, stay sober! The CARICOM Youth Ambassador Committee SVG currently does not stand in support of neither is it against the legalisation and or decriminalisation of marijuana .
Fun Zone N T C R L W J B N E A F A A V A X
D O Q A B U Z G O S A L X D C T N
B B I N Y L F W I N K R L I U L D
M A G T T M G Y T A D R A I F M T
C G H E A Q A I A Y P M U D U I R
K O P A K Z G N Z J A B U T A G Q
N H R H M U I E I J H V M H L D N
W Q D H A A M L L G E L O U U A G
N Q Y B E A S U A R S Q N S E D O
D O M I N I C A N G B M T K I I Z
B A J I S G B E I T E Q S E U N T
U A R U U Q T G M N R L E U X I N
U U R X U T U A I E Q Z R Z J R H
S J B B E Y N I R C K S R F H T E
A V L I A B J C C N F Q A G R E N
I X D N S D Y U E I C D T D P M Y
P O A T H R O L D V C U C A I C O
C G K L O U X S B C X M U M O C I
E M O R D N Y S N W O D O E M S C
H Y V X Z N M F M E Z I L E B Z S
ANGUILLA ANTIGUA BAHAMAS BARBADOS BARBUDA BELIZE BERMUDA BVI CAICOS CARICOM CAYMAN CSME DECRIMINALIZATION DOMINICA DOWNSYNDROME DUVERNETTE GRENADA GUYANA HAITI JAMAICA LEGALIZATION
LUCIA MONTSERRAT SURINAME TOBAGO TRINIDAD TURKS VINCENT
The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (S.V.G.) and their Committee thank you for your continued support. Look out for our next issue!
CARICOM Youth Ambassadors’ (SVG) Committee
Youth Affairs Department Rose Place Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Email: caricomyouthsvg@gmail.co| myadsvg@gmail.com
Facebook: CARICOM Youth Ambassadors SVG Instagram: caricomyouthambassadors Twitter: @cyasvg Youtube: CYA SVG Committee