The Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN)-Gambia
Chapter on Monday held a daylong forum to orient new GYINers – new members of
the network – on the concept of GYIN.
The orientation, held at the GYIN secretariat in Churchill’s Town, was characterised by presentation on the network’s programmes and activities as well as its scope of operation in the country and beyond.
The new GYINers were mainly from West Coast Region and Kanifing Municipality.
Delivering a keynote address on the occasion, Mamadou Edrisa Njie, national coordinator of the network, said GYIN-Gambia Chapter has launched a massive campaign dubbed, ‘I am a GYINer’.The campaign is to orient more and more youths on the concept of GYIN for them to embrace it.
“We have some active members in the organisation who are doing very well but there are also some who don’t even know the aims and objectives of GYIN,” Mr Njie said while urging the new members to get themselves au fait with the executive, mission and vision as well as your motto of the network.
The national coordinator said GYIN-Gambia regional chapters will be restructured in 2016 to give executive positions to active ones and filter the uncommitted members.
Mr Njie said the African Youth Charter and the Gambian Youth Policy have sections that give young people the right to join any association of choice to contribute meaningfully towards the development of the country.
The GYIN national coordinator further said young people, as agents of change, need to work very hard in nation building as enshrined in the National Youth Policy.
Also speaking on the occasion, GYIN financial controller, Mariam Saine-Sanyang, commended the new GYINers for their commitment and readiness to support the course of the organisation.
She advised the GYINers to be more focused and be development-oriented.
One of the new GYINers, Ousainou Saine, said it is crucial for young people to have the spirit of voluntarism in themselves and be ready to serve.
Mr Saine, also a member of ILO FOR ALL, a youth organisation operating in KMC and NBR, urged young people to take up the initiative upon themselves to know the national constitution and the youth charter in order to defend their rights.
Ousainou Jallow and Mariama F. Dem delivered the vote of thanks.
Prepared by: Mariam Saine-Sanyang, GYIN-Gambia financial controller
