COSME Partners with DYC

The Department of Youth and Culture (DYC) and the COSME Programme hosted a Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Conference on Tuesday January 17th and Wednesday January 18th, 2017. The Conference was held at La Vue Boutique Inn.

Participants were primarily from organisations and institutions which work with young people to support youth entrepreneurship. Participants were officially welcomed to Anguilla at a Cocktail at La Vue. The cocktail was hosted by Hon. Evans McNeil Rogers, Minister of Social Development.

Participants, COSME Representatives, Facilitator, DYC Director and Staff at Regional Youth Entrepreneurship

Participants, COSME Representatives, Facilitator, DYC Director and Staff at Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop

Welcome Cocktail

Mr. Bren Romney, Director of Youth and Culture welcomed all participants. Participating countries included Anguilla, Aruba, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Romney also expressed appreciation to a number of persons who played a key role in the planning and execution of local youth entrepreneurship initiatives such as the Department’s flagship Get Set programme. This Programme is seen as a great model by other countries. Kudos was expressed by all to DYC and partners for its development.

Diana Hendrickson Fleming, COSME/GOPA Team Leader also shared brief welcome remarks. She expressed appreciation for the many stakeholders whom which COSME has developed a relationship including the focal point group for COSME in Anguilla. These persons are Bren Romney, Sherma Hodge, Carlton Pickering and Heather Richardson. The Honourable Minister in his remarks applauded the work of DYC and thanked COSME for their sponsorship of this timely workshop noting that implementation is the important aspect of it. He shared that at the end of the day our future depends on our young people and their youthful exuberance.

Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop

The two-day COSME sponsored workshop was facilitated by Dr. Marcia Brandon. On day one, she gave presentations on the Overview of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme for SMEs: Key Findings from the Desk Research and Situational Analysis. Based on these findings a presentation was also made the following day on the Proposed Best Practice Model.

Facilitator Dr. Marcia Brandon

Facilitator Dr. Marcia Brandon

The participants were all very engaged and asked a number of pertinent questions.  All participants shared a common goal of finding better ways to engage and support youth entrepreneurship. They departed for their own countries feeling energised and optimistic about the future of youth entrepreneurship.

Heather Richardson at Workshop

Heather Richardson at Workshop

Participants

Participants

Workshop Participants

Workshop Participants

I support Youth Entrepreneurship

I support Youth Entrepreneurship

Participants at Youth Entrepreneurship WorkshopParticipants at Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop

Participants at Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop

Youth Entrepreneurship is gaining more recognition and support across the region. In Anguilla, the Government Department at the forefront of Youth Entrepreneurship is the Department of Youth Culture. Are you a youth entrepreneur?  Contact DYC at 498-3792 or email [email protected] to find how they can help you. Do follow DYC on Facebook as well so that you never miss an opportunity.

UPCOMING DYC EVENTS (SAVE THE DATES)

Managing Innovation Training – Feb 9 & 10 (Collaboration between ADB, DYC and COSME)

Business Symposium – April 08, 2017

Do also check out our last posts on DYC’s National Arts and Culture Awards  and the Entrepreneurship Expo.

Do follow My Anguilla Experience on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with Anguilla!

Remember to pursue what really matters!

Check out my latest video in the Pursue What Really Matters YouTube series.