For their first performance, Seychelles presented the Kamtole dance with a very enthusiastic crowd and our local french rapper Damasy new song “Princesses” got the audience dancing.

It was President Faure who as the then education minister in 2003, working along with former education special advisor Marie Therese Choppy, conceived the idea to have a young citizens’ movement aimed at teaching children discipline, togetherness, friendliness and good manners, among other things.

They also get to take part in a series of activities such as educational visits and cultural activities.

The Young Citizens Programme was formally launched on March 12, 2004.

The Young Citizens programme, present in all primary and secondary schools on Mahé and Praslin, is for young people aged six to 17 years. The motto of the Young Citizens is ‘Mon Pei, Mon Patri pour Touzour’.

Talking on the success and challenges of the movement managed by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), the director of the programme, Anne-Marie Adrienne, said the Young Citizens Programme has at the moment 48 school facilitators which are not enough as there are still some schools with no facilitators to work with the children.

She said that getting finance to run the programme and a proper place for the youth to camp are among the biggest challenges.

“Some people might be amazed to learn that some young people don’t even know how to sweep, arrange their clothes, make their beds, do some cooking, among other small daily household duties. These are the sort of things we teach them so that they can be of some help in the homes and that also prepare them to be responsible citizens,” Mrs Adrienne said.

She described the programme as “very successful”.

Welcoming the young citizens, the majority of whom were making their first visit to State House, President Faure said that to celebrate the success of the 15 years of the Young Citizens Programme we have to thank all those who have contributed and supported the programme.

He noted that if all stakeholders – parents, teachers and the society – give support and comfort to children, the country will see a bright future with young people of good moral and positive values.

President Faure made a personal engagement to continue supporting the programme.

He launched an appeal for more facilitators to join the programme in the schools and also appealed to the business community to help finance youth programmes at all levels as it will contribute to the development of the youth and the country.

“The problem in the society today differs from that of 2004. The problems are very complex with many difficulties. There are different actors in our country that are working together to do more for our children and we would like to thank them all,” President Faure said.

He also thanked the children for making it to State House in their same original black coloured skirts and trousers and yellow t-shirts bearing the hand logo for the past 15 years.

On behalf of his colleagues, 12-year-old Kein Bannane from Perseverance secondary school thanked President Faure for giving them the privilege to express their wishes and desires and vowed to continue to work hard to lift the country high.

Gracia Labiche, a facilitator of the programme for 15 years and teacher from La Rosière primary school, said she felt proud and honoured to see some of the children she had worked with occupying high positions in the country.

“I will be retiring soon and I hope the up and coming facilitators stay committed so that they can stay on for a further 15 years to helping our young people. I have enjoyed my 15 years with the programme,” she said, noting that the programme has brought her to discover places she would never have dreamt of visiting.

During the ceremony Noamie Barbe from Belonie secondary school read ‘Paviyon Mon Pei’, a poem written by Juliette Insenga.

Later President Faure invited Mrs Adrienne and Tracy Morel from Au Cap primary school, Delores Confiance from Baie Lazare primary school and Rimond Michel from Takama primary school for the anniversary cake cutting.

All Young Citizens talked too yesterday said they will stay on the programme to continue to learn new things from the many things being taught.

They also noted that they have made a lot of friends.

“Young Citizens helps us to learn many things that we can do to help at home and I will stay until I reach secondary school. It’s fun,” said Dolores Confiance.

The chief executive of SNYC, Penny Belmont, was also present at the gathering.

The Positive Youth Award hosted by SNYC under the theme ‘Celebrating Youth Empowerment’ saw youths aged 15 to 30 who have made exceptional positive contributions towards their schools and community being recognised and awarded in a prestigious ceremony in the presence of their family, school representatives and respective youth workers.

The ceremony serves as an incentive to encourage other young people to follow in the footsteps of their peers and apply positive living values in their everyday interactions and conduct.

It also serves as an opportunity for SNYC to reinforce the importance of a youth population empowered to be resilient, wholesome individuals willing to contribute to the well-being of others and society at large.

In total, 61 youths were recognised for their positive contributions from four different categories including secondary school, post-secondary school, district level and youths from affiliated organisations.

Certificates of recognition were presented to youths by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, principal secretary for the department of local government Marie-Celine Vidot, principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre as well as chief executive of SNYC Alvin Laurence and other officials from SNYC.

CEO of SNYC Alvin Laurence congratulated all the young people for their positive contributions to their respective educational institutions and communities and urged them to continue working for the betterment of their communities and the country.

Five finalists, one from each category and one representing the inner islands, were also rewarded for their outstanding efforts, dedication and commitment towards youth empowerment. The five candidates were Daryl Adolphe at secondary school level, Julio Charles at post-secondary level, Shanice Joubert at district level, Dora Radegonde for inner islands and Ronny Marengo from an affiliated organisation.

Each candidate will be given an opportunity to represent Seychelles on an overseas youth-related mission within the next year.

However, Julio Charles was revealed as the overall winner and the new ambassador for SNYC for the upcoming year.

Julio, who is currently undertaking his studies at the University of Seychelles (UniSey), is also an executive committee member of anti-bullying campaign group Stand Up! Step Up Seychelles.

Julio expressed his gratitude towards SNYC for having supported him and having selected him as the new ambassador.

“I wish to also thank the community in general as it takes a whole society to raise youths with good values. I will also thank other youths as I am a youth ambassador myself,” Julio said.

He added that he will make use of his one-year mandate as SNYC ambassador to float the Seychelles flag at overseas events and to shed light on the positive work engaged in by many youths in Seychelles.

“I’m proud. This is not just for me but also for my family and my community,” said Julio.

Throughout the soirée, attendees were also treated to performances by local artists including Taniah, Mercenary and Xtra Big before they were invited for a lavish dinner.

The accompanying photographs show the winners in the different categories.