Young leaders to set up own association |20 September 2013

More than 70 participants from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd SYLP (Seychelles Young Leaders Programme) cohorts came together on Wednesday to discuss the setting up of a Seychelles Young Leaders Association.

This initiative was prompted by the expressed wish of President James A. Michel, who launched the SYLP in 2007. When he received a copy of an action plan at State House on July 18, 2013 from the graduates of the 2nd SYLP cohort, President Michel said: “It is my wish that, following this plan of action that they have presented to me, they should develop it further and that the other groups of young leaders can join together afterwards and form a very powerful association that can become the academic think-tank for our country.
It is necessary at this moment in time for young leaders to get together, to think, discuss and find innovative ways of how to bring about positive change in our country”.

Welcoming the assembled group of 70 SYLP participants at Wednesday’s meeting, Lucy Athanasius, who is responsible for the programme, outlined a modus operandi for the proposed new SYLP Association, made arrangements for a working group to prepare a draft constitution, and provided an opportunity for the SYLP participants to network, and consider possible initiatives that might be undertaken by the new association. It is expected that the working group will report back, within a month, on their deliberations.

The assembly was also addressed by Dr John Nolan, special advisor on Education to the President. He congratulated all concerned on this imaginative initiative. Drawing on the range of knowledge, skills and experiences they had gained from their involvement in the two-year SYL programme, and the synergy that could now be generated from such a highly qualified group of young leaders, the new SYLP Association has the capacity and human resources to make a significant and valuable contribution to the ongoing development of the country.

Meanwhile selection interviews for the 4th Cycle of the SYLP – which will have a social renaissance orientation – were held this week. The 4th Cycle will start in early 2014.