The National Association of Youth in Agriculture Incorporated (NAYA Inc.) continued its action packed programme of activities for 2006 with its second (2nd) Annual Secondary Schools Elocution/Public Speaking contest on March 17th, 2006 at the Arawak House of Culture. Several learning institutions congregated at the prestigious venue to participate in the contest. The competition, whose main objective is to afford students the opportunity to exercise their public speaking skills whilst emphasizing on areas of interest and concern within agriculture and society at large, was designed in 3 rounds of competition: prepared speech, impromptu speech and a cultural exposé. The event inspired young people to think more carefully about agricultural and social issues and to articulate their ideas in a thoughtful and considered manner.

The Isaiah Thomas Secondary School emerged the champions (taking prizes for best prepared and impromptu speech) of the day’s event but in the end Agriculture was the true winner. Agriculture took centre stage among our youthful population as young persons critiqued and gave solutions about various concerns especially about the lack of emphasis being placed on agriculture, the poor approach to agricultural development and the haphazard manner in which its has been linked with other sectors especially tourism.

The students also got the opportunity to lament on serious social issues such as child abuse, HIV/AIDS and human trafficking. The Dominica Community High School, who won the cultural exposition round of the competition, satirically echoed the opinions of the common Dominican concerning the treatment of Haitian and Dominican Republic nationals. Youth expression was given the opportunity to shine on that Friday and shine it did as the small but appreciative crowd gave applause after applause to the students whose confidence beamed throughout the hallways of the Arawak.

The President of NAYA, Mr. Malcolm Wallace, said that he was pleased with the outcome of the event, as it was a learning experience for his dedicated Executive Committee. He also stated that plans had already started to take place back stage to improve on the event for 2007 and it promises to be even better. He was also quick to thank the various sponsors of the event for their continued assistance and confidence in his young group and ensured them that NAYA would continue to give youth an audience to voice their opinions on various matters, not just Agriculture. He mentioned that the contest and other organized events are in accordance with NAYA’s main aim of advancing the interests, promoting the welfare, and encouraging the active participation of youth in the socio-economic life of Dominica through active involvement in Agriculture.