Commissioner Buncamper says the island should have a strong cadre of youth leaders to help the nation's young people develop their personal leadership skills and begin to set goals and directions for their lives beginning at an earlier age.
The staff training course was offered to Pathfinders in St. Maarten who will start to work with the Pathfinder Club next year. Youth leaders were trained in eight segments
"Youth organizations provide many different opportunities for youth to develop and practice their leadership skills and styles. These include from serving on an organizing committee, planning an event, public speaking or networking with other organizations.
"I encourage parents and guardians to encourage their children to join youth organizations as it builds a foundation for them where it concerns leadership. Providing training for youth who serve in these leadership capacities is essential so that youth feel confident in fulfilling the challenges required of them.
"Once young people have achieved a measure of success within a youth organization, they will continue to strive for more demanding and difficult roles.
"Youth facilitators play an important role in the development of self-esteem, self development, creativity, ethics and values, understanding leadership and authority, goal attainment, group dynamics, teamwork, problem solving and communication skills.
"I wish the 42 youth facilitators much success with their endeavors in youth development within the Pathfinder organization," Commissioner of Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the (GIS).
