The high level of criminal activity among young people presents a challenge that Commonwealth nations must work to resolve together.

Suriname President Ronald Venetiaan made this statement when he addressed the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Forum 7 which was held yesterday on board the Caribbean Princess, one of the main ships being used to host activities relating to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Venetiaan acknowledged that there were high levels of ’criminality’ among youths in the region, but he said this situation must be tackled head on with Commonwealth nations working together to come up with solutions .

’...What are we doing to give the youths today, a safe place to live?’ he questioned.

He also noted that many youths were still grappling with poverty , and said this is another social problem that must be dealt with if youths are to make the best use of opportunities that will give them a better future.

Venetiaan also challenged Commonwealth leaders to not only listen and pay greater attention to the concerns of the youths but to work to ensure that they are involved in the decision making process.

Venetiaan heaped praises on Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his government for hosting the Commonwealth Youth Forum, which was hailed as a success. ’It is in platforms like this that young people become critical thinkers,’ he said.

Manning and Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, also addressed youths at the closing ceremony yesterday and pledged their commitment to youth development.

Over 400 young people from countries across the region participated in Commonwealth Youth Forum 7 which officially opened in Tobago on November 21. Adrian Winter, Chair of the Youth Advisory Committee, said based on discussions held on major themes, among them climate change and youth involvement in decision making, a communique was developed and will be passed to members of the Heads of Government, so that the youth agenda could be included in CHOGM.