It's Youth Awareness Week and there are numerous workshops and seminars happening across the country. But today's centerpiece event gave a group of high school students an open mic and an open line of communication to Minister of Youth Rodwell Ferguson. It was no holds barred - any question could be asked. 7NEWS was at the UWI School of Continuing Studies for the fireworks.
Student #1,
"My question is that why is the government raising tax and not raising pay. I have to tell you that there is poverty in Belize. Have you taken a look at North Front Street and in the Martin's area?"
That was one of the questions thrown at Minister of Youth Rodwell Ferguson at this morning's youth forum. Minister Ferguson's answer to the question was that poverty is a lifestyle choice.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson,
"Because we want to live a certain lifestyle, we want certain things in life. First of all we want a very special tennis shoe, we want to eat only items off the shelves, which are tin things, which are not good for us. Belize have a lot of land and many of us don't want to go into farming because it is inferior. We need to stop the expensive living that we are living so I don't know if cost of living is too high, we make cost of living too high."
This SJC fourth former complained that Youth for the Future isn't doing enough.
Student #2,
"Today the Youth for the Future Corporation doesn't really promote their business widely, doesn't make it interesting. I would suggest that they put life, put more music, put something that will intrigue us go and look to those places, seek out those places, and promote most of the other places because we don't know of the different places that are in Belize that help us with youth programs."
But the morning was far from confrontational. It was a fluid exchange of ideas on HIV/Aids, religion, and youth leadership.
Student #3,
"Why don't we the youths take these things in consideration. We are doing drugs, violence and so why..."
Next item on the agenda for the week is a Mr. & Miss Youth Week scheduled for tomorrow.
