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RESOLUTIONS
FROM 'YOUTH FOCUS BAHAMAS 2004' HELD AT SUPER CLUB BREEZES, January
28-29
Recalling
the United Nations Agenda 21 adopted at the Earth Summit in 1992,
which established a framework for sustainable development among
the world's nations
Taking
into account the Programme of Action for Small Island Developing
States adopted at the Barbados Summit meeting in 1994
Noting
the National Assessment report for The Bahamas prepared in 2004
for the review of the Small Island Developing States Programme
of Action
Recalling
the Culture, Communication and Intercultural Dialogue from
the Youth Manifesto of the 21st Century presented to the Canadian
Parliament 10 April 2000
Highlighting
the potential of youth and that they are the focus of sustainable
development
Noting
that we, the young people of The Bahamas, met for 'Youth Focus
Bahamas' to establish our own vision for the future, and to present
our findings to the Inter-regional preparatory meeting for the
Review of the Programme of Action for Small Island Developing
States
Understanding
that 'Youth Focus Bahamas' is a model for an inter-regional
initiative called 'Youth visioning for island living' to be held
in Mauritius in 2004
Expressing
appreciation to the Government of The Bahamas and United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for
this valuable opportunity
We,
the youth of The Bahamas,
Call
upon the government to provide a Ministry of Youth that will
focus solely on our needs
Recognising
that culture and lifestyle identify us as Bahamians and keep us
unified, and that people on each island of The Bahamas practice
and display different kinds of lifestyles
Taking
into account that our culture is gradually being lost, especially
among young people, due to the strong influence of foreign media
continually accessed using new technology
Emphasising
that we need to preserve our culture to help us to be self-sufficient
and less dependent on others
We,
the youth of The Bahamas,
Call
upon the Government to formulate a plan that will institute
an Annual Heritage Festival that will rotate through each island,
to promote Bahamian cultural aspects of storytelling, Rake n'
Scrape, native dancing, bush medicine, use of natural resources
for crafts and Junkanoo
Recommend
Bahamian texts be more fully utilised in schools to enhance
knowledge of Bahamian folklore, promote native dance and arts
and crafts
Request
special mandatory programmes for troubled teens that will involve
parents, students, and guidance counsellors. Programmes are to
focus on prevention and intervention, with emphasis on social
and health problems including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, sexually
transmitted infections and childhood prostitution
Encourage
enforcement of existing legislation pertaining to persons who
are found to be pregnant under the age of 16 and investigate all
situations so that offenders may be formally charged and prosecuted.
Establish
properly equipped island clinics, ambulatory services, fire engines
and emergency medical air services.
Provide
technical and vocational subjects for students with learning disabilities
in each island.
Contribute
to sustainable development by upgrading and enhancing recreational
parks, promoting agricultural programmes and encouraging aquaculture
Recognising
that the Government of The Bahamas needs to plan for our future
needs and those of our children
Taking
into account that our economic and social structure, as it
is, needs to be changed, and solutions sought
Emphasising
that The Bahamas is a developing nation with a stable economy
heavily dependent upon tourism and offshore banking
We,
the youth of The Bahamas
Call
upon the government and all Bahamians to promote and diversify
our secondary industries such as farming, fishing, aquaculture,
to assist in better economic stability and self-sufficiency
Recommend
that farming, fishing and aquaculture be incorporated into the
school curriculum from primary to tertiary level, especially in
the Family Islands
Promote
and encourage intra-island trading to reduce import expenditure
and allow domestic producers to profit
Highlight
the importance of purchasing Bahamian-made goods by educating
our wholesalers, hotel managers, tourists and all Bahamians
Support
the creation of local franchises, products and business opportunities
via the internet
Call
upon the government to increase work and leisure opportunities
on the Family Islands to avert the 'brain drain' crisis
Request
the establishment of nature parks, tours and trails on the Family
Islands to promote further job creation
Ask
for venues and opportunities to showcase the talent of Bahamian
youth
Request
our government to lower the teacher - student ratio
Recognising
The Bahamas has valuable natural resources including oceans,
coastal environments, pinelands and incredible bio-diversity
Taking
into account that many changes have taken place in our environment
since Agenda 21 was adopted in 1992
Emphasising
our important human resources
We,
the youth of The Bahamas,
Call
upon the government to initiate and embrace an eco-tourism
plan and policy for residents and visitors so as to encourage
them to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Promote
and implement an environmental education plan that instils environmental
principles as an integral way of life in all age groups from the
very young to the very old
Request,
as a matter of priority, an assessment of The Bahamian environment
be conducted in order to determine areas for preservation and
conservation of natural habitats for marine and terrestrial flora
and fauna
Emphasise
that existing laws be fully enforced, through an objective environmental
court system that ensures the right of the community to a clean,
safe, aesthetically-pleasing environment
Secure
the health of our nation, by ensuring the safe and environmentally-friendly
disposal of solid and liquid waste, thereby instilling within
every member of society the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle
Affirming
the rights and needs of Bahamians, we the youth implore our leaders
to secure our option to purchase land, including beachfront property,
at affordable prices, and to secure our access to coastal areas
for posterity.
Recognising
the importance of the built environment, we urge our government
to identify buildings of historical significance for preservation;
and understanding the problems of vagrancy and illicit activities
encouraged by derelict properties, we urge the adoption of criteria
to establish a plan of demolition.
We,
the youth of The Bahamas, are convinced that we are catalysts
of change and we invite your participation to assist with the
execution of these resolutions
We
thank you
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