S.K.N.Y.P.A Celebrates 25 Years Of Youth Development
BASSETERRE: The St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association is celebrating 25 years of developing young leaders.
The association officially launched its Silver Jubilee celebrations with an evening of recognition, reflection and a look toward the future. The S.K.N.Y.P.A. Officially launched its Silver Jubilee celebrations during a cocktail reception at Casa Lagos earlier this month. The event was held under the auspices of SKNYPA founding father and Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.
Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd, an SKYPA honorary member, was also in attendance.
The launch featured the unveiling of several elements of the anniversary celebrations, including the Silver Jubilee logo, anniversary song, a docuseries trailer, the association’s website and an official launch video. The theme for the 25th anniversary was also revealed: From vision to voice: empowered then, transforming tomorrow.
President of Skypa, Jalen Monzac, says the theme captures the story of the association’s 25 years and its continued impact on the young people who pass through its ranks. Monzac says youth development can shape a person long after a program, activity or term of leadership has ended. He is encouraging young people and alumni to participate in the anniversary activities, with the aim of turning the celebrations into opportunities for leadership, legacy and continued youth development.
For Dr. Hanley, the anniversary is also an opportunity to reflect on how the vision for a formal youth parliament in st. Kitts and Nevis began. Hanley recalled his participation in the 1998 CARICOM youth parliament in the Bahamas, which he said helped inspire the idea of establishing a similar body at home. He also reflected on the early youth parliament debates held in 1999 and 2000, which helped lay the groundwork for the eventual formation of SKYPA.
Former SKYPA president Jihan Williams-Knight reflected on the association’s impact from an alumna’s perspective. Williams-Knight says she became involved with SKYPA in 2000, at a time when the organization had supporters, but also detractors. She recalled Mr Desmond Ward, a key figure in the formation of the group, when insisted that members be prepared for every sitting and be ready to face resistance. Williams-Knight says the formal launch of SKYPA inspired many other young people to get involved. She also expressed gratitude to former National Assembly Clerk Jose Lloyd, who stepped in to provide mentorship following Ward’s death.
And for Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd, the anniversary launch was a celebration worthy of the occasion. In a statement following the event, Dame Marcella described the reception as well organized and efficiently executed. She congratulated SKYPA on 25 years of commitment to youth development and wished the association continued success with its anniversary activities and future endeavors.
