Youth Vibes 5 as it was commonly referred as, saw approximately  fifty youth, mentors and trainers representing the following countries – Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and  St. Kitts and Nevis.

The main objectives of the conference were  to increase the effectiveness of leadership at all levels in the programme,   to enhance the equality of the programme content and delivery and   to achieve the goals of C-HLP and to create a sustainable communication platform.

Local Coordinator in the St Kitts chapter, Terry Morris, said “the objectives were met and we have challenged youth to continue embracing every opportunity to further enhance and develop the skills and experience gained.”

Within the C-HLP there is an Education Program, which goal is to a create structured, supportive, fun learning environment for each participant to learn and apply the knowledge and skills to influencing their peers by consistently doing his/her best to model the C-HLP values, principles and practices.

The primary objectives were mentioned as follows

· identify the changes they need to start making to become more effective as youth leaders

· develop a personal action plan for doing so

· explain, demonstrate and apply the programme content (knowledge, skill, behaviours and practices) to take action and self-evaluate for continuous improvement.

Mr. Morris disclosed to Miyvue.com that the hosting of the conference was a challenge not so much of the fact that there were little participation of individuals from the host country but the poor responses the organisers received from businesses places

“Main challenges were related to getting financial support for the conference. We are very disappointed in the negative responses and the reluctance or refusal of business and corporate society to invest in the empowerment of our young people.” explained Mr. Morris “Youth groups around the island also did not come out and benefit from the conference as invited to. They were offered the chance to be non-resident participants or drop in as convenient to various sessions of interest. This was not taken advantage of.”

The conference was highlighted with leadership development sessions, movie night at the Caribbean cinema, panel discussion, sports day, kicking AIDS out workshop, island tour and shopping day, and a youth rally.

He added that the visiting participants exclaimed that the panel discussion hosted by SKNYPA – St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association – was one of the most beneficial. Members of the organisation attended the session and discussed the topic, “Development of Caribbean Youth – Opportunities and Threats”.

Participants also spoke highly of the rich history and picturesque memories of the island tour especially Brimstone Hill.

The conference’s main sponsor, Digicel, also presented two awards to deserving individuals. Other awards were donated by OCASPE, the parent organization for CHLP.

Youth Vibes 6 will be hosted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines next year, August 2011.