Dominica participates in Global Entrepreneurship Week

 

By Mara Etienne-Manley

 

From November 14-20 2011, a number of young men and women from the Dominica Youth Business Trust, (DYBT) joined more ten million current and aspiring entrepreneurs in 123 countries around the world to observe Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), 2011.

 

This major international event which started in 2008 by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of the United States has become the universal stage of the entrepreneurial community for shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. Over a three year period, this initiative has empowered nearly 20 million people and is supported by dozens of world leaders and approximately 24,000 partner organizations.

 

With support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Dominica Youth Business Trust (an initiative of the Government of Dominica and the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre) hosted the GEW for the second consecutive year in Dominica. The DYBT partnered with local public and private sector institutions as well as regional and international organizations to coordinate several events to mark the occasion.

 

The list of activities included a youth entrepreneurship forum at the Dominica State College and a retreat for emerging entrepreneurs at the Jungle Bay Resort, where young men and women were mentored on the necessary skills for their entrepreneurial development.

 

The Dominica Youth Business Trust also hosted its eighth graduation and awards ceremony on Wednesday, highlighting the achievements of local entrepreneurs. Twelve institutions were also recognized for their contribution to the development of youth entrepreneurs in Dominica.

At that ceremony, the Dominica Community High School was awarded a grant of one thousand dollars (EC$1000.00) to assist with the development of the school’s Entrepreneurship Awareness program.

 

Since the official launch of the Dominica Youth Business Trust in 2004, the Government of Dominica has invested $1.1 million (dollars) towards the program. These funds have helped create over 180 new jobs for young entrepreneurs on the island.

 

Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports, Honorable Justina Charles said the DYBT program is meant to address youth unemployment in Dominica.

 

 

 Honorable Justina Charles- Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports

 

 “Youth unemployment is a global concern. As such the entrepreneurship program has been identified and proven to be an effective tool to empower our youth and to address this concern.”

 

The Minister says government will continue to support entrepreneurship education for young people on the island.

 

“The Government [of Dominica] pledges its continued commitment to the development of the micro, small and medium enterprise sector, and to continue placing emphasis on the investment of our young population. The Government will continue to make resources available through the Dominica Youth Business Trust, the Small Business Support Unit and other appropriate institutions to advance entrepreneurship in Dominica.”

 

Fifty-one young men and women received graduation certificates from the DYBT on Wednesday; however, 348 have graduated from training at the DYBT since its establishment.

 

The Youth Minister also encouraged young people to make the most of the activities planned for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011.