THE 22nd Youth for Youth Conference opens today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with the theme “20:12 Time for Change.”
During the three-day conference, emphasis will be given to the importance of educating the youth on underage drinking, tobacco and drug use, and the promotion of positive lifestyle choices.
At least 350 students, educators and adult mentors signed up for the conference, where Josephine Keefe, from the Nez Perce Tribe, and Parkour enthusiast and elementary school teacher Billy Navarette will serve as keynote speakers.
Key topics that will be covered by workshop sessions include Health and Wellness, Decision Making, Bullying Prevention, and Money Management. Trained facilitators from Youth for Youth LIVE! Guam (YFYLG) will facilitate the workshop sessions.
According to Cabrini Rivera, conference adult chair for the event, the theme represents the “continuous change and growth the youth go through.” She added, “They are the catalyst for much of the positive changes seen in the community today.”
She is encouraging the members and attendees to “embrace these positive changes and to be the change that the community needs.”
Town hall meetings
Prior to the conference, PEACE-Guam conducted several town hall meetings on underage drinking to gather stakeholder opinions and generate plans for improving prevention efforts on Guam.
According to Sara Dimla, adult advisor for PEACE-Guam, several of the groups have already drafted their own action plans.
Dimla said Southern Christian Academy will put together a petition and contact the island’s lawmakers so they can introduce the “Social Host Liability Act,” a widely adapted law in the U.S. that places responsibility to “those who consume but also those who furnish alcohol.” The proposed law will apply to anyone, be it a licensed establishment or a family member.
The St. Jude CCD class expressed their support for the “Social Host Liability Act” and will also focus on educating and informing their family members and friends about following the law against underage drinking.
Participants from Astumbo Middle School proposed a creative campaign where they will put up “This is an Alcohol-Free Zone” signs during fiestas and family events to show they do not support the serving of alcohol to anyone below the legal drinking age. The AMS group is also planning to connect with the Guam Department of Youth Affairs for possible funding support for the signages.
Dimla is inviting the public to participate in the last town hall meetings today and Saturday. The Friday session is from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Main Ballroom. The last meeting will be held at the lawn in front of the University of Guam library from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. Participants are highly encouraged to register and complete the meeting exit survey to help PEACE-Guam measure the effectiveness of the town hall meetings.
