STRATEGIC VISIONING WORKSHOP MOTIVATES YOUTH WORKERS

(Written in UK English)

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27^TH, 2010 – The department of Youth Empowerment in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports has completed a three-day intensive workshop on Strategic Visioning for Youth Workers,

The workshop, which came to an end on Friday, February 26, was facilitated by Programme Manager of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Dwynette Eversley, who charged the youth officers with the responsibility of envisioning the future they collectively seek for the department and mobilized them to utilize their current and past conditions in developing a roadmap that ultimately leads to such a reality.

Making use of the adage “if you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there,” Eversley probed the youth officers to analyze earnestly and honestly their current situations, making use of history mapping, political, economic, social and technical (PEST) analyses, case studies and more, to assist them in creating a mission and vision for the Department.

Employment and Human Resource Coordinator in the Department, Alva Thomas, called the exercise beneficial, saying that it “opened up our eyes to realize that before any project is launched, there must be more research and dialogue with stakeholders, such as the business sectors and of course, the potential participants of the programme.”

Thomas’ realization and that of many other participants, was clearly recognized by Eversley, who later stated that. “I came and I met a group of committed, eager persons, who obviously value what they do. I think the three days allowed them closer examination of what they do and whether they do it to the best of their ability.”

However, Eversley believes that to successfully fulfil their duties, much more is needed than honest self evaluations. “There’s an appreciation, an enthusiasm to grasp the core principles; [however] the important thing is having the flexibility and authority to apply it in the field and that is the kind of empowerment the youth officers will need,” she said.

“They need to be involved more in helping develop projects that they are going to be carrying out. There was excellent work, excellent team skills, very creative and innovative talents displayed in coming up with a vision, a mission, some values and some core principles that the Department will need to work with and all that is cool; it’s fantastic. But being part of the policy making, being part of seeing how they fit into the grand scheme of things, I think that will help the Youth Department even more.”

Thomas couldn’t agree more.  According to the Employment and Human Resource Coordinator, “There is wisdom in getting the technocrats, the ones responsible for running the programmes, also involved in putting its structures together.”

Coordinator of Youth Kevin Andall was appreciative of the suggestions put forth by his staff and assured that they would be considered by administration in formulating a shared vision and mission that will reflect in an honest and real way, youth work in Grenada.

“I am really proud of my staff and how they performed. I was really surprised at some of the ideas that they came up with and the hidden talents that they have,” Andall said.  “I believe it was a successful event and I believe that as a Youth Department, we must embark on more like these.”

Andall looks forward to Eversley’s report from the three-day workshop.

The three-day workshop on Strategic Visioning for Youth was held at the National Stadium.

 

 

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