Press Release Monday 21st February 2022
We have selected a balanced and representative Working Group of highly skilled and committed individuals, and I have tremendous confidence in what they will achieve with the National Youth Policy as its call to arms. I very much look forward to their work over the coming months,” said the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets, in formally announcing the members of the National Youth Policy (NYP) Working Group.
The members of the Working Group are:
- Ariana Caines, Chair
- Dr Nisrine Atieh
- Pastor Leroy Bean
- Emmanuel Faria
- Danielle Frith
- Kelly Hunt
- Kimberley Jackson
- Melissa Looby
- Ajai Peets
- Tanika Rayner
- Terri-Lynn Richardson
- Marli Amne Spriggs
- Seon Tatem
- Judy Teart
- McKenzie Tuckett
- Theo Wolffe
- Seldon Woolridge
- Nadine Henry, Ex-Officio
These individuals, who span from a variety of professional fields and include both community and government agencies working with young people, are now charged with implementing the recently published National Youth Policy 2021.
Minister Peets said, "The National Youth Policy was a 2020 Throne Speech initiative which committed to engaging and empowering young people, whose future is most affected by society’s actions today.
"The Policy provides a unified approach to tackle issues faced by Bermuda’s young people and provide them with the support to have positive and productive futures."
At its launch last year, the Ministry committed to creating a Working Group with a broad and diverse membership that could represent the Youth Policy’s goals.
Minister Peets added, “The feedback from applicants was considerable, and I was extremely pleased with the public’s response to our call for expressions of interest to join the Working Group.
"This Government believes that Bermuda’s future belongs to our young people, and we look forward to working with those who will serve on the Working Group so that we can all fulfill the vision and mission of the National Youth Policy.”
The Working Group has begun meeting with the aim to implement initiatives to achieve the eight goals of the National Youth Policy for Bermuda’s young people.
As a reminder those goals are:
- Keep young people safe and protected from harm;
- Achieve full potential in learning, development and education;
- Minimize anti-social behaviour;
- Increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities;
- Engage youth in sport, culture and recreation;
- Support young people to be active and healthy;
- Enable participation in civic engagement; and
- Encourage diversity and inclusion.
To learn more about the policy visit contact the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation Tel. 295-0855 or Email: