All hands are on deck to offer entrepreneurial opportunities through a Government of Guyana $50M initiative for which the closing date for submission of entries is drawing closer.
In this regard, the Youth Innovation Project of Guyana Project (YIPoG) Manager Ms Grace Roberts-Simon is once again issuing a clarion call for proposals from youth across Guyana. “We have already received twenty-six entries and based on initial perusing Guyanese youth have a lot of commendable, innovative ideas about themself and their community development while creating employment opportunities for their peers. However, the closing date for submissions is June 30 and we believe that there are others who need to take advantage of this opportunity to bring to life their creativity and innovative ideas with support and guidance from our team,” she said.
Under the theme: Aspire, Inspire, to Reach (AIR), this project which is being spare-headed by the Ministry of Education-Department of Youth was launched on May 22 with much pomp and ceremony and now it is down to the youth who have the innovative ideas to help themselves and their communities and by extension Guyana by submitting their proposals for consideration.
We believe that there are many more persons who can benefit from this opportunity but they may have issues with their proposal’s preparation but there is no need for that fear to be allowed to fester because we have four mentors who are more than willing to guide you in the right direction.
The Vision/ The challenge!
Hon. Minister Nicolette Henry expressed excitement about the project especially because it targets youth. Reflecting, the Minister shared her vision of a Guyana where the youth were accessed for innovative solutions to the many problems. That vision has not waned.
“Not so long ago, I stood where you now stand and looked out at a world full of possibilities. Fortunately, I was encouraged to follow my dreams, to create for myself a path to success. Today, you stand on the cusp of your fullest potential and teeter on the brink of decision-making,” Minister Henry said.
The Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport seeks to facilitate this pivotal moment in your life. According to Minister Henry the Youth Innovation Project of Guyana or YIPoG, as it is fondly called, offers youth the opportunity to interact with their physical, social, and psychological environment with the curiosity of the explorer, the perseverance of the climber, and the elation of the conqueror. Where youth explore, how they climb, and what they conquer depends on the choices they now make.
Issuing her challenge regarding the project Minister Henry encourages: “Look around you and identify the issues, problems, and frustrations within your community and propose solutions. We suggest STEAMS as a framework for such solutions: Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Anthropology, Archaeology, Architecture, the Arts, Mathematics, and Spirituality.”
Noting that Guyana is forging a green economy, in which government provides enabling policies, structures, and systems; in which it’s peoples are free to suggest policy, enact structures, and access systems, The minister encouraged that YIPOG is but one way through which “we can celebrate an environment whose benefits redound to all.”
“I look forward to receiving your suggestions, financing your ideas from design to prototype, and matching your prototype to production sponsors. Imagine, what our dear land of Guyana could be because of your innovative ideas and pioneering spirit?
We are listening, waiting with bated breath to aspire, to inspire, and together to reach our fullest potential as Guyanese: One people, one nation, one destiny!”
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Background
The Ministry of Education acknowledges the innovative mind and pioneering spirit of the youth of Guyana. In every sphere and hamlet, in every tenement and hut, bereft of material possessions, educational opportunities, and family support, survive their environment and thrive in spite of it. What are the causal factors of such coping? Why would a third-world country produce such renowned personages as Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, and Cheddi Jagan?
It is the innovative mind, the pioneering spirit and the indomitable energy of our citizenry that launch us successfully into a competitive, globalised scene. It is these characteristics that the current President, H.E. Brigadier David Granger espouses as he envisions a green economy.
The Green Economy is predicated on the expectation that the Government of Guyana–through policies, programs and laws–will create an enabling environment where everyone will be able to realise their true potential. Such enactments emerge from a value system that places the people at the centre of governance that acknowledges the history, geography, and ethnicity of the individual and the citizenry of all. All can contribute, all must contribute to Guyana’s socioeconomic development.
The green economy must also be predicated on the expectation that the Citizenry of Guyana-through beliefs, values, and practices–will embrace their personhood and environment, both psychological and social; will empower their structures, both familial and communal; will protect and defend the sovereignty of our nation, both at home and abroad; will communicate our heritage, to the young and the visitor; will forge the development of our resources, both human and material; will participate in every aspect of its life, its activities and functions; will apply best practices from every experience, at home and abroad.
The Ministry of Education espouses STEAMS as the crucible in which innovative ideas and a pioneering spirit may find form and function. Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts, Mathematics, and Spirituality, provide the foci for the YIPoG. Notwithstanding the global reach of STEM activity, the MoE purports to expand the framework of operation so as to address the urgency of needs in Guyana through. It is anticipated that The Arts and Spirituality will address the burgeoning criminal activity towards and by our youth.
Vision
Every Guyanese will realise their fullest potential.
Mission
The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with all other houses of governance, will facilitate the channelling of the innovative ideas and pioneering spirit of young Guyanese so as to produce solutions to the issues and challenges of our nation’s green economy.
Goals
- To maintain a high level of competition for the best ideas of young Guyanese
- To provide a healthy structure in which this competition functions
- To engage our partners both locally, regionally, and internationally in the YIPoG
THE YIPoG CHALLENGE
Tertiary Institution and Community Technical Innovation Challenge (TICTIC)
Purpose
The purpose of this challenge is to recognise and support to production outstanding project proposals and initiatives from the 10 administrative regions of Guyana and Georgetown that foster a green economy in the context of STEAMS.
Categories for the Winners
- Most Relevant to Sustainable Communities
- Most Creative and Innovative
- Best Plan and Project Design
- Best use of STEAMS
- Best Presentation