The government of Barbados with technical support from the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre (CYPCC) is currently finalizing preparations to host a major national youth dialogue on issues pertinent to young people in the various parishes across the island.

Regional Director of CYPCC, Mr. Henry Charles met recently with officials of the Ministry Youth Affairs including Permanent Secretary Mr Lionel Weeks and Director of Youth, Mr. Halley Haynes to review plans for the dialogue and confirm CYPCC support for the initiative.

The National Forum will be preceded by a series of community-based consultations to be facilitated by a team of local youth leaders.

In preparation for this exercise the team members through a collaborative effort between CYPCC and the University of the West Indies will benefit from a capacity building session on Participatory Learning Assessment Techniques.

The training session is expected to enhance the participatory research, facilitation and mediation skills of the participants and improve their effectiveness in engaging communities.

As part of its mandate CYPCC continues to provide strategic support to youth development stakeholders, including Youth ministries and agencies throughout the Caribbean.

Consequent upon the meeting held earlier, a training session will be held on July 21 to 25 for young people who will be facilitating the national consultations. This will be a joint venture between the government of Barbados and CYPCC.