The new president of the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD), Phael Lander, has revealed a three-point agenda for the new executives of the council. Following the official inauguration of the new executives at the Prevo Cinemall Ballroom on Saturday, Lander said the major focus of the council’s new leadership is – engagement, education, and empowerment.
The 10 new NYCD executives are:
- Phael Lander – President
- Keanu Winston – First Vice President
- Wendy Wallace – Second Vice President
- Zorah-Marie Xavier – Treasurer
- Noah Alfred – General Secretary
- Tina Alfred – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
- Jermasha Mellow – Communications Lead
- Shemar Anil Etienne – Executive Committee Member
- Stephina Martin – Executive Committee Members
- Ashfred Norris – Chairman of General Assembly
As part of his vision for the NYCD, Lander said his executive team will revive district youth councils across the eight zones of country. He said two district councils have been established and that six more are on their way. He revealed that “these local bodies will serve as the breeding ground for ideas, innovation, and active participation in community development.”
According to him, the new NYCD will ensure that new mandates are driven by the informed perspectives of the district youth councils; and that avenues will be created for continuous youths education, enhanced skills development, and equip them with empowering tools to initiate positive changes within their respective communities.
The former president of the NYCD, Ashma McDougall, expressed satisfaction that the outgoing council executives handed over worthy resources to the incoming excos. McDougall pointed out that under her leadership, they initiated the National Youths Awards, the National Youth Parliament, and drove public rebranding through consistent youth engagement. She said that her team worked with the theme “Our Youth, Our Council, Our Future.”
The Minister of State for Youths and Community Development, Oscar George, who attended the inauguration event, had a four-point advice for the 2023-2025 incoming NYCD executives. His advice covers the following aspects of council operations and activities:
- The NYCD must have clearly defined purposes and objectives.
- The council must represent the interests of all youths across Dominica.
- The new executives must boost youth inclusiveness and create rewarding partnerships.
- The council must work hard as a team to advance beneficial opportunities for youths.
Senator George noted that the new NYCD leadership must carry their entire membership along on what they are doing and their expected outcomes. He said they must provide context in all they do, and that they must provide a level-playing ground for marginalized youths across the Island. He also tasked them to initiate partnerships with businesses and organizations to be able to access corporate mentorship, grants and funding, and development policies among others.
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