The National Youth Council (NYC) yesterday held in-depth engagements with Venezuela’s ambassador to Namibia , Magaly Henriquez González, where the two parties focused on solidifying bilateral ties between the countries.
During her talks with González, NYC interim executive chairperson Patience Masua said it is high time for institutions of the two countries to implement key components and core elements of their various bilateral agreements.
Focus was placed on establishing joint youth development programmes and strengthening bilateral cooperation in education, skills development and cultural exchange, areas that both Masua and González said are significant to the youth of the two nations.
Masua also highlighted the need for more youth cooperation, scholarships, entrepreneurship, TVET, and technical training in the oil and gas sector.
She added that opportunities for Namibian youth in the petroleum industry and knowledge-sharing space do exist in Venezuela, especially given that country’s extensive experience in the petroleum sector.
González also announced the availability of nine scholarships covering the full petroleum value chain, as well as 50 additional scholarships in agriculture, science, engineering, and medicine.
Last year, a group of Namibian youth took part in the International Community Leadership Training Course in Venezuela, which focused on strengthening anti-imperialist consciousness, promoting transformative education, and fostering South-South exchange among youth committed to social change.
Participants were actively involved in the Venezuelan electoral process on 27 July as part of an experiential immersion in the political and community context of the host country.
The delegation was selected based on its local leadership, community commitment, and internationalist vocation, reflecting Namibia’s interest in training young leaders capable of driving transformations in their communities.
The training took place at the Antonio José de Sucre International Youth Leadership School from 22 July to 14 August in the capital, Caracas.
The Youth Leadership School has established itself as a hub for more than 70 countries, with an emphasis on the role of youth in building a new multipolar world order.
Here in Namibia, the NYC is charged with policy formulation and implementation on issues bordering on youth development. It is the umbrella body for the count r y ’s youth and was given legal recognition in 1990 at the time of independence.
It is affiliated with the Pan-African Youth Union and represents more than 60 000 Namibian youths. It is led by an elected executive chairperson every five years.
-ohembapu@nepc.com.na