Government is hoping to get young people on the right track with a new national initiative designed to offer teenagers training and guidance and get them more involved in the community.

Minister of Community Affairs and Sport Randolph Horton announced the “Strengthening Youth Together” conference yesterday and said it would be held next month in a bid to help bring out the best of Bermuda's youth.

The long-term aim is to introduce a National Youth Service, which would offer young people training, community service, adventures and fun.

Mr. Horton said a steering committee, which comprised of a cross section of youth agencies throughout the community, had been meeting on a bi-weekly basis for the past year.

“The success and fulfilment of the dreams and aspirations of our young people is the cornerstone to the future and continued growth and success of our Island and our people,” said Mr. Horton.

“Someone once said ‘a misspent youth may result in a tragic old age'. We cannot afford to lose any one of our young people because he or she failed to discover or nurture their natural-born talents.”

The Minister said his department had sent invitations to some youth groups, but was also inviting other young people interested in adding their thoughts to get in touch.

And he said any other youth leaders who had not been officially invited, should find out more.

He said the steering committee had now compiled a National Youth Service Logic Model that set out short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes for youth development on the Island.

“This also comprises strategies, activities, resources and input that is necessary to achieve these goals,” he added. “We are encouraging the leaders of these organisations to assemble with us to discuss, collaborate and decide on the important issues that impact significantly on the development of our young people in Bermuda, so that all of their views are included in the final document.

“Government views this conference as vital and important to all youth organisations, and to our community, hence the dates of the conference have been selected so that all youth leaders can attend.”

And he asked that the business community lend its support and co-operation to the cause by allowing their employees, who are executive leaders of youth service organisations, to be given time off with pay to attend the event. The conference keynote speaker will be DeLacy Davies from Newark, New Jersey, an international youth speaker, advocate and motivator of youth initiatives. He will be opening the ceremonies on February 11 at 6 p.m at Sonesta Beach Hotel Resort.

Mr. Horton added: “I am excited about this national initiative, which will achieve the objective of working towards common goals in the development of Bermudas youth. I look forward to everyone's participation.”

The conference will be held between February 11 and February 13.

Anyone interested in attending the conference should telephone 295-0855 for an invitation pack.