8
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
November 19 - 25, 2011
NATIONAL
Reviewing TCI youth policy A revision of TCIs National Youth Policy and Strategic Plan was launched on November 15 as the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs puts renewed focus on youth development in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Department of Youth Affairs, working with the Commonwealth Youth Programme launched the review with a workshop session on Grand Turk. The Policy’s main objectives are:
1. To harness and channel the energies of youth into the process of nation-building; 2. To promote a spirit of entrepreneurship among young people; 3. To build harmonious relations among Turks and Caicos Islands’ youth and develop a more caring society in the process; 4. To create an environment that will promote confidence in the TCI culture, thus equipping the youth to deal more effectively with negative influences; 5. To re-direct the lives of young people who manifest negative attitudes and dysfunctional social, emotional and behavioural
trends.
The current Strategic Plan has three priority areas of focus:
1. Youth Business Development 2. Youth Participation and Representation, and 3. Youth Health and Well-being. In explaining the importance of the review process, Facilitator Mrs Emmaline Pierre said: “Youth development is too important to be taken lightly, youth are valuable to the future of any country, and if we are planning for the development of our nation our youth should be the center of that development”. The existing National Youth Policy was developed in 2006 but was never fully implemented. The Ministry says the two documents have been useful tools for development of TCI youths and the review is critical to ensuring continued progress. The review process will include other engagements with stakeholders on policy and plans for youth development, from which the Ministry expects recommendations for enhanced outcomes for young people through increased youth participation and stakeholder
L-R Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, Ms Angela Musgrove; Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, Mr Nixon Dickenson; and Facilitator, Mrs Emmaline Pierre
partnerships. Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, Angela Musgrove said: “Reviewing and revising
the TCI National Youth Policy document and Strategic Plan document is essential to progressing the youth development agenda in the islands. It will not only ensure that a modern framework exists for youth
within the TCI but will also assist in empowering youth within the islands to contribute to sustainable national development as they seek to be agents of change in these beautiful by nature islands”.
TCIG gets new CEO
Lucille Lightbourne, president of the Turks and Caicos National Cancer Society with cancer survivors Terrance Astwood and Cheryl Astwood.
Cancer luncheon successful More than 100 persons: including cancer survivors, health practitioners and other supporters gathered last month for the Turks and Caicos National Cancer Society Luncheon on October 29,
to help raise awareness on the early detection, treatment and prevention of cancer. It was a successful event for the cause and the Society. One of the guest speakers at
the event was Baptist Health Physician Deirdre Marshall, who shared her knowledge on prevention methods and how living a healthy lifestyle is important in battling cancer.
Governor Ric Todd has appointed Mr Patrick Boyle to succeed Mr Martin Stanley as the next Chief Executive of the Turks and Caicos Government. The posting was announced Tuesday, November 15, and Mr Boyle takes up the position on the January 03, 2012. According to a government media release, Mr Boyle is an experienced UK Senior Civil Servant and has held Chief Executive roles across the public service. He is currently Chief Executive of the Independent Living Fund; a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions providing financial support to disabled people across the UK. He joined the UK Civil Service in 2005 leading the programme to establish the British Equality and Human Rights Commission and more recently as Chief Executive of the Housing Benefit Agency in England. A Health Service Chief Executive by background, Mr Boyle has held senior positions in Primary Care, Mental Health and Acute Services. He was Chief Administrator in a London Council and is a former Commissioner and Board member of the NHS Regulator.
TCIG gets new – New Government CEO Patrick Boyle
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and is a graduate of the world renowned Meyler Campbell Executive Coaching Programme. He has wide-ranging experience of public service reform and change management. Martin Stanley took up the position of CEO on a temporary basis in August this year, following the appointment of the incumbent Mark Capes as Governor of St. Helena. Mr Capes had been CEO for two years.