Minister Neletha Butterfield attended a forum on sustainable development in Jamaica last week.

It was the first "Forum of Ministers Responsible for Social and Sustainable Development in the Caribbean" and was sponsored by the Government of Jamaica and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Permanent Secretary Wayne Carey also attended the Forum, which hosted top Government officials from more than 10 Caribbean islands and looked at social development strategies for young people.

Minister Butterfield said: "Given the common desire to engage youth and to advance their development, the Forum provided a timely opportunity to examine the range of policies, programmes and practices employed by Caribbean nations to address challenges related to youth development."

Minister Butterfield discussed policies and programmes in place on other islands and said she was particularly impressed with a programme established in countries called "Youth Path — Youth Poverty Alleviation".

This programme is a heritage and tourism project that focuses on training for young people between the ages of 15 and 25.

Minister Butterfield added: "The Forum agreed a broad framework for coordinated policy development and refinement, together with a wide range of specific policy implementation objectives."