Mauritius: A newsletter showcasing the achievements of the ten outgoing Youth Ambassadors and aiming to serve as a motivation to future Youth Ambassadors was launched today on Tuesday at the Helvetia Youth Hub.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint, the Head of Youth Ambassadors, Charles Vincent Thomas Lenette, and other personalities were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Toussaint recalled how the Youth Ambassadors Programme (YAP) was initiated through an email sent by the Head of Youth Ambassadors, signifying his intention to set up a youth programme. He commended Lenette for his boldness and encouraged other youngsters to follow in his steps by unlocking their talents and creativity.
The YAP, he underlined, aims to empower and represent the youth of Mauritius and can be qualified as a Programme of Excellence as it represents the perfect example of how the Ministry worked to review its strategies since Youth Empowerment came under its mandate.
Moreover, he lauded the Youth Ambassadors for their outstanding work and commitment and for their contribution during those years towards enhancing the YAP for future generations. Outlining measures and actions taken by the Government and his Ministry in terms of youth empowerment, the Minister reiterated his support for the creation of a sustainable and inclusive future for the youths.
Lenette, for his part, elaborated on his mandate as Head Youth Ambassador, highlighting that through the YAP, several events aimed at educating and engaging young people in a wide range of areas, from mental health and gender equality to politics and civil service, were organised.
He also expressed gratitude to the Minister and the Ministry for the opportunity to lead this team of Youth Ambassadors who were very dedicated and spirited to engage in this programme. “I have seen the courage and determination of our young people, and it gives me great hope for the future of our nation,” Mr Lenette added.
The Youth Ambassadors Programme
The YAP is the initiative of a group of students who have come forward with a project to sensitise and inform the youths on key issues and policies pertaining to them in different Ministries, mainly through the use of social media.
A group of 10 volunteers between 16 and 25 years old constitute the team, and different portfolios are assigned to them. These Ambassadors also communicate with the public and obtain feedback and ideas that they pass on to relevant governmental departments.
Major activities performed by the Youth Ambassadors during their mandate comprise:
- A Youth Summit 2022 to mark International Youth Day 2022.
- Budget proposals concerning youth development and empowerment were forwarded to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Development.
- Beach clean-up and restoration projects.
- A panel discussion on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Organisation of a COP28 Workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change.