THE RECENTLY elected Portia Simpson Miller-led administration is looking to neighbouring Cuba for ideas as it tries to address the problem of the thousands of unattached youths across the island.

New Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna, has already started discussions with Cuban officials on possible areas of cooperation between Jamaica and Cuba that would create opportunities for the advancement of youths.

During discussions with the Cuban ambassador to Jamaica, Yuri Gala Lopez, on Tuesday, Hanna highlighted the plight of Jamaican youths, while pointing out that close to 70 per cent of them are unskilled and approximately 55 per cent leave school without passing a single subject.

Hanna also noted that 75 per cent of crimes recorded across the island are committed by persons under the age of 30. She declared her commitment to finding solutions to this problem.

"There is much work to be done to reverse the statistics and to improve the life chances of Jamaica's youth. My top priority is finding and providing opportunities for youth to succeed, particularly youth at risk," said Hanna as she discussed best practices introduced by the Cuban government.

Hanna noted that Cuba has used culture to provide jobs locally and internationally for its young people and argued that Jamaica could achieve similar success with the requisite support.

"Cuba has given strong technical support to Jamaica in several areas, including providing teachers and medical staff and assisting to advance sports programmes. I look forward to our two countries working together to provide opportunities for youth using our cultural programmes, including in the areas of culture and arts instruction."

Hanna was appointed minister of youth and culture last Friday, after she was named to the 20-member Cabinet by Simpson-Miller.

She reported for work that afternoon and has been reviewing briefs while meeting with staff and stakeholders.

Already, she has given instructions for the creation of a database for youth population and the finalisation of a document to be discussed with the Ministry of Finance on exemptions, tax reforms and incentives for the creative industries.

Hanna has also mandated the development of a concept paper for the enhancement of the creative industries for discussion with the ministries of Industry, Investment and Commerce and Tourism and Entertainment.

