Cadets urged: Be a positive influence

Youth-based organisations and other extracurricular groups will need to deliver greater positive influences to help stem the growing epidemic of delinquent behaviour among young people.

This was the view shared by Minister of Home Affairs and  Information Wilfred Abrahams, as he delivered the opening remarks at this year’s Commandants of the Caribbean Cadet Association Annual Conference, being held at the Hilton Barbados Hotel.

He told participants that there is no mistaking the slowly growing crisis among young people who are committing more brazen and violent acts. He however stressed that this trend can be corrected if the necessary steps are taken to bring young persons into the fold of positive influences at an early stage.

“We do have a crisis, but I do believe the crisis is solvable. It has to be. If it is not solved then all of our jurisdictions and [our] countries are going to sink. It must start with the young people, before they get into the culture of bad habits.

“I am sure that a comprehensive review will demonstrate that membership of the Cadet Corps bears a direct correlation to the reduction in deviant behaviour among our youth. It stands to reason therefore, that greater numbers in our cadet forces have a positive impact on our security landscape and on our social and economic development. Furthermore, I believe that positive programmes that show our cadets engaging in positive activities should dominate our media spaces and counteract the negative images which otherwise attract too much attention,” he explained.

The annual conference brings together the heads of several cadet corps from across the region to discuss and adjust the cadet corps experience for both new and existing members.

Abrahams stressed that members of the corps had a great responsibility to help influence upcoming generations, and they should not take the responsibility lightly.

“We make that mark on youngsters, whether it’s positive or negative we make that mark, and it is up to us to decide what example we are going to set. You must never conduct yourself in a way, that one of your cadets has to look at you and be disappointed,” he said.

The minister also added that bringing changes to the corps should also be seen as a move in the right direction to help keep young recruits interested in the life lessons they are capable of learning.

“Cadeting can’t be the same as it was 30, 40 years ago. We have drone technology, we need to figure out how to incorporate things into cadets that capture the imagination of the young people. How do we make them come back? How do we make them do what we want them to do? How can we make life experiences and discipline relevant and fun, but still indoctrinate in them examples for life?”