Mauritius: In the context of the International Youth Day 2023, a National Youth Summit focusing on three fundamental themes, namely Health and Wellness, Economic Empowerment, and Community Engagement, opened yesterday morning, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Balaclava. The theme retained for the 2023 summit is ‘Nou Zenes Nou Rises’.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint; the Chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC), Keshika Sohun; and other personalities were present.
In his address, Minister Toussaint stated that the Summit will provide the youth with an appropriate platform to voice out their ideas and opinions while emphasising that these ideas will be assessed by the Ministry and, if deemed fit, will be implemented.
The ideas and opinions of the youth is very important to take the country to the next level of development, underpinned the Sports Minister.
He further reiterated the commitment of the Ministry to empower the youth and make them future ambassadors of the country. The Minister also lauded all the youth who are contributing to the development and welfare of the country at all levels including education, professional, sports and culture.
The Sports Minister seized the opportunity to applaud the Mauritian athletes who participated in the 9th edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie being held from 28 July to 06 August 2023 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo adding that Mauritius won six gold medals and a total of 12 medals for the Games.
Minister Toussaint further indicated that a delegation of around 700 persons will be representing Mauritius for the forthcoming Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) 2023, to be held in Madagascar from 25 August to 03 September.
He called for the encouragement and support of the youth and the population at large during the Games adding that he is hopeful for a great performance of the Mauritian team.
As for the Chairperson of the NYC, she underlined that the creation of the NYC dates back to 1998. She added that the NYC has as main objective to be an effective communication vehicle that would foster sustainable youth development through appropriate empowerment programmes, networking, good governance and advocacy.
This year, she said, marks the 25th anniversary of the Council while highlighting that the Council will continue work for a responsible youth citizenship which would contribute efficiently and effectively in all spheres of the development of Mauritius.