Fourth National Youth Policy launched |12 June 2019

Minister Mondon addressing the gathering at the launch ceremony

Truly, the youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population. Our nation is witnessing a historic demographic shift and Seychelles’ ability to find its rightful place in the community of nations depends on how well we as a nation can harness the latent power of the young people in our country.

The fourth edition of the National Youth Policy was officially launched yesterday afternoon at the International Conference Centre in the presence of Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre and high ranking officials from the government.

This new policy provides a framework with a list of strategies aimed at helping the youth of Seychelles. The new policy was worked on by a team of young Seychellois through a series of activities and research in order to come up with the best policies.

“The first youth policy launched in 1995 provided a framework to coordinate national efforts aimed at assuring that young people aged between 15 and 29 years got equal opportunities,” said PS Palmyre.

“The objective of the government in implementing successive youth policies has always been to create the required conditions for learning and to provide opportunities and experiences that enable young people to gain knowledge skills and competencies required to be productive and responsible citizens of a constantly changing world,” added the principal secretary.

Mr Palmyre further said that these policies have helped the youth to develop the capacity to respond and cope with life challenges and to integrate into society and the labour market.

He added that statistics show that youth employment has decreased from 14.5% to 6.5% as a result of programmes geared to make employment accessible to young Seychellois.

In her address to the guests, Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon said “the national youth policy from its inception was a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment and engagement towards youth development”.

Designated Minister Mondon added that the youths of Seychelles are positive elements that bring about positive change and progress to one’s country and that the national youth policy of Seychelles highlights the priorities and strategies to be adopted by government and stakeholders to ensure the development and empowerment of our youth.

“This policy has taken into consideration issues raised by young Seychellois which will be subsequently integrated in the development of programmes and projects at all levels and within all sectors, these initiatives will also be implemented in private and public institutions to harness the youths’ talent and energies as well as to address the challenges at which they are confronted.”

Minister Mondon ended by quoting President Danny Faure in his address to the youth forum at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) in London last year: “Seychelles despite the challenges we face is committed to building a prosperous future for all with young people at the centre of development.”

The youth and other parties were actively engaged in the making of the policy and ensuring that new strategies such as housing and land feature to ensure that young Seychellois are able to start preparing for their future.