A two-day training workshop for members of youth employment network YEN, youth activists and civil society organizations, ended on friday at the Gambia YMCA Conference Hall in Kanifing.
The retreat is organised by the National Council of The Gambia Young Men's Christian Association YMCA.
The forum is aimed among other things, to gear towards sharing knowledge on the challenges and opportunities of youth employment while strengthening participants capacity on advocacy.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Alfusainey Gano, National co-ordinator of YEN Gambia Chapter, revealed that the network was formed in 2002 by few committed institutions and organizations in response to the global youth employment challenges facing the world.
Since then he added, YEN
He highlighted inadequate funding, eroding of volunteers, no paid personnel, lack of permanent secretariat, as some of the main constraints the association has been facing.
Sam B. Thorpe, National director of Gambia YMCA for his part, said that the issues of youth unemployment continues to pose a big challenge to many countries characterised with many young people who are faced with many development challenges. He pointed out, "The Gambia YMCA is cognizant of the fact that a young person is a potential asset and partner in development. In so doing, their holistic development and empowerment is our core business," he noted.
For his part, Gambia YMCA 's BLF Funded Project Coordinator, Mr.Joseph Peacock, revealed that the YMCA will support YEN until 2012 from its UK Big Lottery Fund for life skills and enterprise development for the maginalised and disadvantaged young people.
Pa Malick Ceesay, Executive Secretary National Youth Council, applauded the Gambia YMCA for their immense contribution to the empowerment of the Gambian youths.
Meanwhile, participants on Saturday 4th April develop a plan of action for YEN
