PHILIPSBURG:--- Two writers of Teen Times, Sakir de Castro and Rochana Richardson made sure the Members of Parliament and other dignitaries that attended the solemn session of Parliament on Thursday knew that the youths of St. Maarten are not lost and they strongly rejected the name "destitute" that was given to St. Maarten's youths by at least one Member of Parliament.
Recently, a certain MP described St. Maarten's youths as being lost and even went as far as calling the younger generation "destitute". The Teen Times writers who are very much present and active in the St. Maarten community made it clear to the Members of Parliament that they reject the name given to the youths of St. Maarten. Richardson and de Castro saiid that St. Maarten has youths with potential and those that can contribute to the development of their country but it is the duty of those in authority to give the younger generation the chance to contribute and to also be part of the decision making of their country. The theme for the third anniversary for country status of St. Maarten "Let us all join hands together for a stronger St. Maarten" they said was bit too long and therefore they opted to change the theme just for their presentation "Better Together" simply because St. Maarten would do much better if they are together and will be much stronger together in their view. As the voice of the youths of St. Maarten, they said they hear the complaints of the youths, they also highlight the achievements of youths while they do their best to educate and inform their peers about the past, present, and future.
"We cannot stand here this morning and tell you that your young people are very optimistic about the direction of this country. But we can tell you, they have not given up hope and belief that St. Maarten, with strong, forward thinking leadership can be all it aspires to be. The young people of St. Maarten, like those all over the world, are expressing more and more what they want for the future of their country and they are looking to their leaders to pave the road, not create roadblocks."
The full speech presented by de Castro and Richardson is below:
Better, Together
Delivered by Teen Times staff writers Sakir de Castro and Rochana Richardson on the occasion of the third anniversary of 10-10-10
Your Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday, Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Ministers, Honorable President of Parliament, Honorable Ministers of Parliament, Mr. Henny Eman, invited guests and dignitaries, good morning.
We are honored to be here this morning on the occasion of the third anniversary of St. Maarten obtaining its new constitutional status. On behalf of the young, dedicated and outspoken members of Teen Times, your future leaders, we congratulate one and all on this occasion.
When we received the theme of this morning's special occasion, as teenagers we thought wow, what a long title for a theme. The theme "Let's all join hands to make a stronger Country St. Maarten". We hope the Honorable President of Parliament won't mind too much if...just for our speech.... we change that theme to: "Better, Together."
As a country, and as people who love this country, we are definitely stronger together. But besides strength, what we accomplish as one people moving forward is what will determine our future. So in that sense we are better when we do things together.
As young writers for Teen Times we are afforded the opportunity to be the voice of St. Maarten's youth. We hear their complaints, highlight their achievements and do our best to educate, inform and excite our peers about their past, present and most importantly their future.
We cannot stand here this morning and tell you that your young people are very optimistic about the direction of this country. But we can tell you, they have not given up hope and belief that St. Maarten, with strong, forward thinking leadership can be all it aspires to be. The young people of St. Maarten, like those all over the world, are expressing more and more what they want for the future of their country and they are looking to their leaders to pave the road, not create roadblocks.
That is not to say that they expect everything to be easy and shy away from hard work. They accept that every generation of leaders, face new and profound challenges. They see that this body of Parliament continues to be tested. The question they ask however is whether we possess the wisdom and the courage, as a small island nation and members of an international community, to meet those challenges and whether St. Maarten can meet the tests of our time.
They ask themselves these questions and they realize that all it takes is a little change of attitude, a change in behavior and a change from individual thinking to collective approaches. Change simply means moving forward and not standing still. The most successful individuals and organizations are those that do not run from change, but turn it to their advantage.
Changing, of course, is a matter of definition. It could mean opening your mind to a new concept or causing you to look at what is common from a different perspective or with new insight. It doesn't have to be revolutionary to be significant. We think change should be met as a friend rather than feared as an enemy.
Madame President. Three years into 10-10-10, St. Maarten's young people see themselves as true citizens of the world. We are more connected than ever before. Teens have access to ideas and initiatives that are changing the world. We can access the entire world with just a click of a button. There is no such thing as "oh we're from St. Maarten so we shouldn't think big." No way. In two words I guess you can say we are Globally Competent.
Therefore, in terms of education, there must be a crucial shift in our understanding of the purpose of education in a changing world. Our students deserve the opportunity to succeed in the global economy and contribute as global citizens. We must develop a more creative and visionary educational response to the interconnected world of the 21st century.
Caribbean countries continue to invest unprecedented resources in education. We know that government's largest budget commitment goes to education, but HOW are we educating the future of this country, and HOW are we eliminating and addressing the systems and methods that are failing our young people?
We see Caribbean countries challenging schools and school boards to set clearer and higher standards and assess student progress in more creative ways, prepare more productive teachers, and provide effective intervention in failing schools.
If you want your young people to be true citizens of the world, we have to be given the knowledge and skills that we will need to succeed in the 21st century. That's the future that we deserve, one where we can focus on opportunities because we were prepared for those opportunities.
Madame President, young people in any country represent the future of that country. They have a vital role to play in the development of their country, a duty they must perform. Although, there are many ways that youth can contribute to ensure the active participation of youth in national development, they need to be supported and encouraged by the government, the private sector, and most importantly, the community and their parents. We do not have to go on and on that there are many young people who if given the required support can contribute meaningfully to national development.
But, bringing such young people onboard the development wagon becomes the responsibility of those in authority. Also, to enhance the participation of youth in national development, they must be given the opportunity to effectively participate in decision-making processes, especially on issues affecting their lives.
That is why we compliment government on hosting events such as the Youth Round Table Conference and having a vibrant and active Youth Parliament.
Having said that, we know that our young people must also believe in themselves, not be over dependent and can become a big asset both individually and collectively to national development. We are here today to tell you that we are not a lost generation as some people have called us.
St. Maarten is blessed with positive young people willing to make a difference and determined to be significant players in their country's future. Teen Times, The Leo Club, The Youth Parliament, St. Maarten Junior Aids Committee, the various Interact Clubs, the Student Governments, the youth of SIMARC and St. Maarten Pride, need I say more? We are all here! Don't believe the hype, this generation is not lost!
Don't believe the hype, this generation is not lost! This generation is not "destitute" as we were described recently by a group right here in Parliament. We reject that label! We are here, we are active and we look to you, our leaders in government, to recognize that you have something to fight for, to govern for, to plan for. You have US!
In 10 years, what will we be able to say about what all of you did for this country? Will you see to it that we will be Better Together?
Madame President, Members of Parliament, Honorable Ministers, and your Excellency, we feel very proud, privileged and honored to have been given this opportunity to address you.
Thank you!