Minister Parag convenes first-ever adolescent symposium

Teenagers from schools across the country gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday for the first Adolescent Symposium and Impromptu Speaking Competition.

This significant event was hosted with the Ministry of Health, the Government of Canada, and UNICEF, focusing on the theme “Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Spaces for Adolescents.” The forum aimed to empower young voices to speak on the important topics such as adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

According to Education Minister, the Honourable Sonia Parag, the symposium highlights the vital role education plays in helping young people make safe, healthy, and responsible choices. Minister Parag stated that the Ministry of Education is dedicated to preparing adolescents for adulthood by incorporating Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education into the Health and Family Life Education curriculum.

Collaborating partners such as the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS), the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Adventures contributed to the event’s success.

The forum officially recognized adolescents as the next generation of leaders who will influence Guyana’s future. The symposium, through its break-out sessions and Impromptu Speaking Competition, addressed the complexities of adolescence.

In her keynote address, Minister Parag pointed out that sexual and reproductive health, though crucial, has historically been a taboo subject.

“Make great use of this opportunity at a symposium like this,” Minister Parag encouraged the participants. She emphasized, “the responsible conversations surrounding sexual and reproductive health should not be taken lightly.”

The Minister explained to the young attendees, “Sexual and Reproductive Health is not just about the physical changes you will go through. It also includes your emotional and mental well-being.”

Saturday’s conversations examined some of the pressures young people face in relation to relationship dynamics, the need for acceptance, academic demands, and the struggle of balancing personal identity and performance.

Moreover, Minister Parag recognized that this generation deals with an added layer of exposure brought on by the digital age. “You belong to a technological age. You are in the social media age,” Minister Parag noted, acknowledging that the participants of this important forum have the power to create change and raise awareness easily and on a larger scale.

The Inaugural Adolescent Symposium marked a significant event, establishing what Minister Parag promises will be a lasting platform for youth engagement and health advocacy in Guyana.

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