Time to stop judging at-risk groups – Minister Corey Lane

By Anesta Henry

Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility for Crime Prevention, Corey Lane, says at-risk and high-risk persons in society feel isolated, alienated, judged, and looked down upon.

Addressing Saturday’s Barbados YouthFest 2023 press conference at the Covenant Life Teaching Centre, Green Hill, St Michael, Lane said people from higher socio and economic backgrounds tend to make those who are in at-risk and high-risk groups feel as though they do not belong and are not a part of the social fabric of society.

Lane said this societal issue has to stop if Barbados is to have a peaceful, all-inclusive society.

“So I challenge this network that as we do our work, as we go through YouthFest, that as we go through our daily lives, we continue to remind and inspire people to work with people, to look across at people and not down at people. [Do not refer to at-risk persons as] ‘those people’. They are us, they are ours,” Lane said.

YouthFest 2023, scheduled to be held from Sunday, June 25 to Saturday, July 1, is an initiative where the church community will partner with government ministries to host the national event aimed at ministering to the nation’s youth.

Lane, who endorsed Barbados YouthFest 2023, challenged the organisers of the event and those associated with the initiative to help with the National Peace Programme, which also focuses on faith and spirituality.

“I also offer you assistance with your programmes. Not as a political promise but as a guarantee that what we are doing and what you are doing, if it aligns, and brings wholesome and positive activity to our young people, I am on board, and the Government of Barbados is on board.

“The harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few. Please join us. Let me connect you with the labourers of at-risk and high-risk young people out there that we are working with on a daily basis,” Lane said.

A number of events will be held during the week of activities, including Super Sunday on June 25, when churches across the island will be encouraged to host special prayer sessions for children sitting the 11-Plus Common Entrance Examination, Money Monday on June 26, Talent Tuesday on June 27, and Wholesome Wednesday on June 28.

Thursday, June 29, and Friday, June 30, will be observed as Glory Days when young people would be encouraged to gather at the Bay Street Esplanade for Worship on the Beach. A worship session will be held in The City on Saturday, July 1.

Lead organiser Dr Patrick Tannis said all systems were needed for the Barbados YouthFest 2023 to be successfully executed. (AH)