Role of women in nation-building advanced at Young Leaders’ conference

May 02, 2017 News

The role of women in nation-building was advanced during a recently hosted Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) conference.
The YLAI is one of four programmes within the Young Leaders’ Initiatives, as part of the

Participants at the recent YLAI Conference.

U.S. Government’s commitment to empower young people around the world and ensure they have the tools, skills and networks to tackle in shared global challenges.
In September 2016, Abbigale Loncke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Care, was one of four Guyanese who participated in the YLAI Fellows programme. She was recognised by President Barack Obama in Lima, Peru, for her outstanding work as a young entrepreneur.
Following her participation in the exchange, Loncke had the opportunity to apply for a Reverse Exchange Program, which provides an opportunity to expand the impact of the YLAI program and fellowship in her home country, Guyana.
With support from U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Loncke hosted a women’s conference and mentoring workshop ‘Empowered Leadership in 2017’ under the theme “Unleash Your Promise and Potential: A Women’s Conference.”
The conference was held at the Georgetown Club. According to Loncke, the initiative is for Guyanese women to learn the principles of leadership, identify the paths of leadership suitable for them, participate in skill-building exercises for effective leadership outcomes, and learn the value of mentoring.
The activity aimed to reach one hundred female entrepreneurs and women desirous to start a business, followed by a two-day workshop with fifteen women each day for one-to-one business mentoring. Mrs Jacquelyn Gates Shipe, Chief Executive Officer of Global Ties Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama led the mentorship sessions.
Distinguished guests of the opening ceremony of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative conference included United States Ambassador Perry Holloway and Guyana’s First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger.
In his remarks to the attendees, Ambassador Holloway said “women are a vibrant force in business, civil society, government, and every place else, as you work to advance social and economic causes and safeguard human rights.
“Women’s participation and investing in young people are key areas that are essential to building a stronger, more prosperous, and more inclusive country.”
Meanwhile first Lady Sandra Granger, in addressing the audience, noted that it is important for women to recognise and value their contributions to society, as she encouraged them to make good use of the skills which they possess.