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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
OAS Commends Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs for Advancing Goals of the VII Summit of the Americas: “Prosperity with Equity”
By OAS
Apr 12, 2015 - 12:37:06 PM
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Speaking to
more than 400 youth participants and entrepreneurs, including 40 young
Cubans participating for the first time, at the Opening of the IV Youth
Forum of the Americas, the Assistant Secretary General of the OAS,
Albert
Ramdin, recognized the high level of innovation, creativity, and
leadership that young people brought to the Summit of the Americas.
Ambassador Ramdin applauded the talent and enthusiasm of the group of
young entrepreneurs. “I believe your hard work, business ideas and
proposals demonstrate your level of commitment to the future development
of your countries,” he said. “You have demonstrated
through your achievements that you are already striving to meet the
challenge of the VII Summit goals: ‘Prosperity with Equity.’”
In this regard, the Assistant Secretary General highlighted the
importance of recognizing the progress made by Latin American countries
in improving their education systems, particularly in the last two
decades. “Without education there simply cannot be prosperity
with equity. Governments have increased spending on education, expanded
cooperation with international financial institutions and other donors,
largely achieving the educational milestones established through the
Meetings of Ministers and the Summit of the
Americas process.” According to the World Bank, he said, Latin America
is close to attaining the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of having
universal primary enrollment by 2015, with 97% of students enrolled in
primary school.
“The Young Americas Forum at the Summit and the X Talent and Innovation
Competition of the Americas and the VI Eco Challenge show us all that in
making the dreams of youth a reality, we must recognize the youth of
the Americas as a strategic segment of our
population that cannot and should not be neglected,” stressed the
Assistant Secretary General. He further noted the talent and creativity
of the young entrepreneurs and he said they serve as an inspiration for
the whole of the Hemisphere.
“Over the years, the OAS has continually worked to show its firm
commitment to youth development, but much more effective is to develop
policies and create employment opportunities with the youth themselves,”
said Ambassador Ramdin.
The senior OAS official praised the Young Americas Business Trust
(YABT), which commemorated its 15th anniversary during the Summit, and
the early visionaries of YABT, Roy Thomasson, Ambassador Jeanette Hyde,
and the late Lou Ferrand, who took the fundamental
first steps to make these initiatives a reality. “YABT’s success over
the years came from their vision and their willingness to be
entrepreneurs as many of you here today are. Without those steps and
continuing commitment, none of this would have happened.”
In closing, the Assistant Secretary General emphasized his personal
commitment to furthering the work of member states to fully implement an
OAS Strategy on Youth that seeks to help governments advance youth
development over the long-term through effective
policies and programs, particularly in leadership and entrepreneurship.
With Ambassador Ramdin at the Opening of the Youth Forum of the Americas
were the Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama, Isabel de Saint
Malo de Alvarado; the Minister of Social Development of Panama,
Alcibiades Vasquez Velasquez; the Country Manager
for the World Bank, Anabela Abreu; the General Manager of Pepsico
Beverages of Latin America, Leonel Ruiz; and the Executive Director of
YABT, Valerie Lorena.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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