Youth ambassador on a mission to empower youth
PROVING THAT being a youth ambassador to the United Nations is far more than just a fancy title, Santana Morris has embarked on a mission to empower the young people of St James and its environs with knowledge on key issues such as knowing their rights and turning their minds away from scamming and other antisocial behaviours.
Morris will carry out a series of youth dialogues under the theme ‘Preserving our Youth through Strategic Intervention in Creating Safe Spaces’. The series kicked off on Monday, and over a period, visits will be made to Mount Alvernia High, Montego Bay High, Cornwall College, Herbert Morrison Technical High, William Knibb Memorial High, Spot Valley High,
Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, and Montego Bay Community College.
“As youth ambassador, I am concerned that the future and security of our young people are under threat. Some of the causes are poor parenting, absence of fathers, and the getrich-quick mentality, which led to lottery scamming, drugs, antisocial behaviour and isolation. Young people are affected by peer pressure, the irresponsible use of technology, and unemployment. I also will be educating them about the United Nations’ Declaration Act, which speaks to human rights. Two of the points I will be emphasising speak to the fact that everyone has a right to life and to live in freedom and safety,” she stated.
KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS
“In recent incidents, where two young women were killed, those girls were affected by sexual molestation. I will use the platform to speak out against the need for zero tolerance for the sexual molestation of children. Also, there is a need for zero tolerance in enforcing the Child Care and Protection Act. The youth need to know their rights and what they should find acceptable. I will be taking their concerns to the policymakers locally, regionally, and internationally. I will expose them to all this information.”