The forum, which was hosted by the Department of Youth Affairs, provided an opportunity for young people to collectively articulate issues and concerns facing them. It also served as a means of allowing the Ministry to gain relevant feedback from the youth.

Common concerns and issues which arose during the lively discussions included the need to be more active in the community, the problem of drug use and alcoholism, teenage pregnancy and the need for more positive activities and programmes for young people to reduce the likelihood of them forming gangs.

National Youth Director, Ms Angela Forbes during the exercise said: “Through the hosting of these National Youth Fora we hope to ignite a spark in our youth so that they may realise the urgency with which they must begin seeing themselves as socials actors, joining and participating in activities of chosen groups through which they can advocate for and advance needs of importance to them.”
“While we understand and appreciate the fact that youth must be given a voice, the youth must mobilise themselves to become more active citizens in the society where they are imminent leaders. They must use their talents, strength, enthusiasm, open mind and the power that lies within them to take independent action,” she added.

At the end of the first forum each group made a presentation on the theme 'Finding our voice, making a difference' using different art forms such as drama, song, poetry and poster making.
Participants were put into groups to stage role plays on possible scenarios which could occur in their communities such as tearing down of public sports facilities to build for- profit organisations in their place.