12 Dec 2017

Faced with challenges of alcohol and drugs, the youth need skills that will change their minds and lives.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of International Youth Fellowship (IYF) conference at the University of Botswana, Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Mr Moiseraele Goya said IYF was doing an impressive job of bringing unity among the youth around the world.

“Youth problems don’t know anything about culture or colour,” he said.

He said the youth should rise above sovereign states and work together.

Mr Goya highlighted that IYF gave a rare opportunity and allowed youth from different countries to exchange culture, best practices and the opportunity to know each other, and at the same time empowering them with the right skills.

He noted that IYF sought to change the negative attitude among youth and equip them with good skills such as innovation, entrepreneurial, survival and analytical skills all of which were needed in the 21st century.

“IYF teaches young people to craft a better future for themselves and encourages them to focus in what they want to be in life,” he said.

Mr Goya said it was disheartening that marijuana had found its way into schools and that some students were selling it to others at school.

That, he noted, contributed  to negative academic results from students.

He urged participants to put to good use the skills they acquired from the four-day conference.

One of the participants, Ms Keitumetse Molebatsi said she learnt a lot about different cultures given that the IYF was an organisation that originated from South Korea.

She said she intended to use the skills acquired to change her life. ENDS