According information from the Government information department, SKNIS, the General Assembly is designed to promote democratic values among youths of the Western Hemisphere by familiarizing students, faculty and academic institutions of the Americas with the work of the OAS and its member states.
St. Kitts and Nevis Foreign Affairs Minister Mark Brantley noted, “It is a proud moment for the Federation to host the event”, as he acknowledged that it is the first time the event is hosted in the English-speaking Caribbean.
“Our own approach, as a new government, towards foreign policy is to enlarge the footprint of St. Kitts and Nevis to ensure that our position in the region, in the world, is better developed. And we feel that this is the type of exposure that is important for us as a small country,” said Brantley.
Further, in his capacity as minister of tourism in Nevis, Brantley said the event provides the ability to showcase the rich cultural, culinary and tourism offerings of the country.
To this end, he noted that such an event would bring benefits to local students who would be able to “rub shoulders” with their regional and international counterparts.
“Our young people have an opportunity to interact with, rub shoulders, learn from and teach students from other parts of the OAS. And we feel it augurs well in terms of future relations and in terms of people to people relations and bringing our people closer together,” the minister said.
Miyvue.com understands that about 120 participants from OAS member states are participating in the Assembly, which runs from the 24th to 26th March.