President Danny Faure received three Youth Ambassadors at State House today: Ms Annarose Clarisse, who participated in the United Nations Youth Assembly held in New York, Mr Luther Denis, Executive Member of the East African Commonwealth Alliance for Young Entrepreneurs, and Ms Vanessa Seth, Country Coordinator for the African Network on Youth Policy Experts (AfriNYPE).
Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer for the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), Mr Alvin Laurence, they shared with the President various projects they are currently doing here in Seychelles and President Faure also suggested ideas on how to further the projects and reach out to more young people.
The President expressed his appreciation and support to the three Youth Ambassadors for their sacrifices and dedication toward their country. He noted that they should work in consultation with agencies and departments put in place to better their respective projects. The President acknowledged their vision of creating a better future for their peers.
"I am always touched when I see young people doing the right things for the country. I salute your dedications and I thank you for taking this path. I would like you to reach out to the youths and inspire them. This is why by having this Young Ambassadors program, we break the gap by you talking to them, you understand their language. I am confident that you will do well in your various projects," said President Faure.
Ms Clarisse who founded UN Youth Seychelles said that she planned to prepare the youth for the next United Nations Assembly and to sensitise them on the objectives of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Mr Denis explained that his project intends to give opportunities to young entrepreneurs on how the business sector really works and how to better plan their business ventures. Ms Seth said that the organisation that will be leading all youth policy here in Seychelles will be registered in January 2017, and that there is a committee presently working on a constitution in close collaboration with the Youth Department, SNYC, and youths of Seychelles.
"The three Youth Ambassadors are currently in contact with international organisations who are having special projects here in Seychelles. They are leading those projects for the benefit of Seychelles and the young people here in Seychelles. The initiative behind Youth Ambassadors is to empower them to represent Seychelles locally as well as internationally, and most importantly, to reach out to young people here in the country," said Mr Laurence in an interview with the local press.