“If a man devotes himself to art, much evil is avoided that happens otherwise if one is idle.” This quote by Albrecht Durer was highlighted by Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Dwight Sutherland, as he encouraged the youth of this nation not to engage in violence.
Minister Sutherland made the appeal to the youth this morning at the awards ceremony of the Anti-Violence Poster Competition, held at the Ministry’s Sky Mall office.
“Today, represents another milestone in my Ministry’s efforts at encouraging persons to end the violence in our country. This poster competition is just one of the initiatives of the Anti-Violence Campaign which my Ministry has been spearheading since June this year, and as I alluded in a similar event earlier this week, we are seeking to use this and other media to reduce violence among all demographics and to facilitate the involvement of young people in peace-keeping initiatives,” he said.
The Minister added that the campaign was launched to spread the message about the negative effects of violence, and the benefits of non-violence, while providing an opportunity for young people to share their views and influence their peers using music, spoken word, essays and posters.
The competition received a total of 83 posters within the age categories 9 – 13, 14 – 18, 19 – 23, and 24 – 29. The first prize winner of the 9-13 age group was Khajae Jones, with Olivier Ogebule and Abigail Lowe gaining second and third prize, respectively.
The 14-18 age group first prize was won by Arianne Greenidge. Maegan McDonald took second prize, while Donneililia Nicholas won the third prize. The first prize in the 19-23 age group and Minister’s award was received by Kadera Hinds, while Michael Harris and Charla Marville won second and third prize, respectively. In the final age group, 24-29, the first prize winner was Klye Pinder; the second prize was won by Darius Barrow, and the third prize went to Adora Hoyte.
Minister Sutherland stated: “My Ministry, and by extension the Government, recognises that the youth have an important role in reducing violence and in managing the general welfare of our society. We have many young people who are involved in charitable and social organisations and who contribute meaningfully to the development of their peers and their communities, and we are very aware of the immense talent which exist among several young people in the area of creative arts.”
He also took the time to applaud Ministry staff, which included the Permanent Secretary, Yolande Howard; Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte, and Acting Principal Youth Development Officer, Andrea Titus, for making the Anti-Violence Campaign a success.