Edwing Charles, the Minister of Youth, accompanied by its Director General Mario Florvil and officials of the Ministry, met last week the members of the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration (CNDDR).

The discussions focused on how to make the return to normal life of young people who are considered as delinquents and prevent other young people from lower-income neighborhoods from experiencing bad experiences for themselves and their community.

Minister Charles, who recognizes that an untrained and marginalized young person is more likely to get lost in banditry, intends, through the Directorate of Youth and Integration (DJI), to offer young people opportunities to help them build their future through work, in pride.

DJI officials believe that vocational training and entrepreneurship can lead young people to prosperity, convinced that if young people are cared for in time they will be less likely to engage in certain behaviors harmful to society.

Minister Charles believes that those whom we call "bandits or criminals" are victims and we must give them a new chance by participating in their rehabilitation and reintegration. Affirming "The reconstruction of the country must also go through the education of the youngest. We need to start working with children, to teach them to become citizens attached to their community and their country. Thus, we will not have to repress offenders but to benefit from the contribution of girls and sons of Haiti."

In addition, the Directorate of Physical Activities and Sports of the Ministry expressed its willingness to contribute by working with the CNDDR to facilitate the practice of sports in these neighborhoods, because the sport promotes the development of the self-confidence, discipline and the spirit of tolerance and can help to improve the living conditions of youth and their neighborhoods.

The Ministry and the CNDDR have agreed to continue their reflections this week and have committed themselves to work on an action plan to be set up to give young people confidence and help them build their future.

HL/ HaitiLibre