Successful Youth Development Exchange Bodes Well for Future US-Bermuda Partnership Efforts

The United States and Bermuda have forged very strong links over hundreds of years.  Enhancing this important relationship is one of the most important missions of the US Consulate and we are working diligently at our public diplomacy efforts.  We are here today to talk about one such effort.

We are pleased to announce that the American Consulate will move forward with its pioneering Voluntary Visitor Exchange Program with Bermuda – with the full support of the US State Department.  This hard-won endorsement was the result of the outstanding success of our first US-Bermuda project, which focused on youth development.

Earlier this year, the American Consulate, with the generous support of several local American sponsors -  including Aon, Continental Airlines and Renaissance Reinsurance - sent the Bermudian Youth Development Team to Washington, DC, Boston, Detroit, New York, Baltimore, Atlanta and Jacksonville, to meet with leaders of successful youth development programs in those cities.  Dr. Derrick Binns, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Affairs & Sport, served as team leader for the group, and was accompanied by:
·        Mr. Calvin Ming, Consultant on the National Youth Development Strategy;
·        Mr. Keith Smith, Youth Coordinator for the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation;
·        Chief Inspector Michael Jackman, Head of Training and Recruitment, the Bermuda Police Service;
·        Ms. Shane Simon, Education Officer for CURE; and
·        Mr. Milton Richardson, founder of De Boys Day Out Club.

The American Consulate and this team of Bermudians worked hand-in-hand to develop an itinerary geared to their areas of expertise.  With the help of the State Department, US programs were chosen whose missions parallel the themes identified in Bermuda's own National Youth Development Strategy –
·        Developing leaders
·        Enhancing family involvement
·        Strengthening youth development agencies. 

The American Consulate is pleased that the Bermudian team of youth professionals maximized this exchange experience and used their new contacts in the United States to the benefit of their programs.  That is the essence of the exchange concept, and the team’s success in fulfilling its mission means that the American Consulate will be able to invite Bermudians to participate in a future exchange.

        Several alternatives for the next US-Bermuda exchange project are being considered.  The topics are wide-ranging and, it is hoped, will enhance the benefits of the initial youth development project.  For example, emphasis might be placed on the building blocks of development that enable youth to grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible adults.  Such building blocks – or assets – might include individual empowerment, family support and boundaries, positive values and identity, and a commitment to learning.  The Consulate will continue to meet with various stakeholders in the community to develop the mission of the new project before identifying team members and fleshing out program components.

        Now let me introduce Dr. Derrick Binns, who so ably led the team on its mission.  Dr. Binns will be able to explain how the Bermuda/America connection has benefited the island, while examining a few of the trip’s high points.  He will then introduce student Dwayne Wescom, for whom the project has already made a difference.

        At the conclusion of the prepared presentation, team members will be available to answer questions or to provide individual interviews.  I encourage you to learn as much as you can about what Bermuda, building on the contacts developed during the U.S. government sponsored Volunteer Visitor program, is doing on behalf of its youth.

        Thank you for being here.  I now present Mr. Wescom

For further information, contact Ms. Astrid Black at 295-1342 (230) or at blackac@state.gov.

American Consulate website:  http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov