30 Mar 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has welcomed  International Youth Fellowship’s (IYF) plan of establishing a youth centre in Botswana for the purpose of promoting volunteerism and self-reliance.

“I have no doubt in mind that the project is destined to thrive in Botswana since it is in line with government’s desire to invest in youth empowerment and nurture young talent for future economic diversification enhancement,” he said during a meeting with IYF founder Reverend Dr Ocksoo Park in Gaborone yesterday.

A South Korean based non-governmental organisation, IYF endeavours to nurture the next generation of leaders through measures such as world camp, mindset education & training as well as overseas volunteer and voluntary educational programmes.

President Masisi applauded IYF for its plan to positively contribute towards youth empowerment through mindset education.

He expressed optimism that the project would impart character education to Botswana youth through collaboration with the ministries of basic education and tertiary education, research, science and technology.

Dr Masisi said the project also enriched Botswana’s relations with South Korea.

“Botswana and South Korea have lasting cordial bilateral relations underpinned by their shared values of proud and united nations as well as the development of their respective people, thus initiatives like the IYF project avail opportunities to enhance mutual knowledge and understanding between the two countries,” he said.

The President commended the organisation for choosing Botswana for the project assuring his guest of the country’s democratic environment, political stability and commitment to the rule of law.

Explaining the aim of the project, Rev Dr Park said it was to encourage students to accept responsibility, practise good values, ethics and good conduct through mindset education and training.

“IYF seeks to nurture youth with sound and positive minds through the mind education programme and a variety of its youth empowerment programmes. 

The ultimate goal of IYF is to develop young people who can become leaders of the next generation as well as responsible citizens,” he explained. Ends