International Youth Fellowship brings the beat to Emancipation Park
THE INTERNATIONAL Youth Fellowship (IYF) recently hosted its 7th IYF Youth Cultural Festival and Exposition at Emancipation Park under the leadership of Pastor JinHee Kim, IYF regional director. The event was the culmination of a week of camp which saw over 600 young people in attendance. During the four days of camp, students and youth participants were involved in mind- and characterbuilding activities that challenged them to overcome their limits.
Jamaica was happy to have them here. Director of Tourism and patron of the festival, Donovan White, supported that too. “The camp and this festival for which we are gathered this afternoon, have allowed the trainers and counsellors to build capacity through changing the mindset of Jamaican youths,” he said.
“By investing in our young people, IYF is investing in Jamaica’s most valuable asset and our most distinguishable product – our people.”
With programmes that target young people who want to experience change and be agents of change, IYF builds human capacity that aids in the development and growth of Jamaican youth, while exposing the participants to diverse cultures of the world.
Now it was time for the festivities. A colourful celebration of food, music and cultural heritage from around the world decorated and filled the air at Emancipation Park. Through booth exhibitions, singing, dancing and a fashion show, the vibe and energy of continents across the world took centre stage.
This parade of cultural awareness and diversity is part of the core of the IYF, a Christian-based global youth initiative. With over 90 branches worldwide, the IYF is dedicated to the spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth of young people around the world.
“Each camper has been empowered to begin to dream again, to dream bigger dreams, to take the limits off what they think is possible – by changing their mindset,” continued the tourism director.
He now added that each of them was an agent of change who will positively affect the lives of their families and communities.
GROWING MOVEMENT
Research shows that there is a global movement that is gaining momentum – where travellers visit destinations for meaningful intercultural experiences. Through IYF programmes, Jamaican participants have many opportunities to build relationships with other young people across the world – similar to the bonds and friendships that the local tourism sector has nurtured over the years. This has resulted in meaningful interactions and understanding between Jamaicans and numerous nationalities.
IYF has collaborated with organisations such as the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information by providing essential youth development interventions that bolster the initiatives of these ministries, departments and agencies. Through its Mind Education programmes, the IYF hosts youth development camps in secondary schools across the island, while enriching the counselling skills of over 600 Ministry of Education guidance counsellors through the IYF Mentorship Training programme. Partnership with the PIOJ is geared towards achieving their Vision 2030 Jamaica objectives. For its work, the IYF received the 2017 Prime Ministers Award for excellence in youth development.
Both the Ecuador Consulate and Nigerian High Commission participated in the expo with cultural displays. Clelia Barreto de Hunter, honorary consul, Consulate of Ecuador, and Charity Ekeada Davidson, representing Ambassador Janet Olisa, Nigerian high commissioner, enjoyed the festivities.