The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly.

International Youth Week

I rise today to inform my honourable colleagues that this week, May 6 - 11, is International Youth Week.

Youth Week began in 1995 as a small grassroots movement in Canada and has grown into an internationally recognized event. It is an occasion to honour the talents, ideas and abilities of young people in our province and the world over.

As a government, we recognize the abilities of our youth and are committed to ensuring that their voice is heard in this province. There are several exciting initiatives underway to realize this goal. For example, this government remains committed to establishing the new office of the Child and Youth Advocate who will represent and protect the youth of the province.

My department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education has, and will continue, to focus on issues important to youth and their future success through youth initiatives such as debt reduction grants, apprenticeship programs and career counselling.

As well, through our support of community-based youth organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and Sisters, Scouts and Guides and the cadet movement along with our Community Youth Network and the Allied Youth Program, we demonstrate our commitment to youth and making sure they have access to services that will aid their personal and social development.

I would like to ask all honourable members to join me in recognizing the outstanding contributions of the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador and to recognize this week as International Youth Week in the province.

2002 05 07                            1:55 p.m.