Mediation and the ability to solve problems are necessary life skills young people must develop to manoeuvre successfully in society.So said deputy chairman of the Mediation Board, Justice Betsy-Ann Lambert Peterson as she addressed students during the Mediation Board's first annual art competition prize-giving ceremony.The ceremony took place yesterday at the National Library and Information Systems (Nalis), Port-of-Spain.
Winners of the competition were Khalee Kavinash Ali (eight-11 years category); Rohan Ashton Kurbanali (seven and under); Nicole Tang (15-18 years) and Bryan Jordon (12-14 years).Lambert Peterson told students and parents the ability for young people to navigate the twist and turns in life was critical to the development of the nation.She said the Mediation Board felt it was important that T&T's youth recognised non-adversarial methods of problem-solving were necessary.
She said people used methods of mediation every day without even realising, particularly parents and teachers.Chairman of the Mediation Board, Vasheist Kokoram, said the board had confidence the youths of T&T could find a path to peace when conflicts arose.He encouraged the students to employ methods of peaceful conflict resolution throughout their lives and encouraged them to build on their artistic creations.
The competition, which was open to both primary and secondary schools and encouraged students to create artwork based on the theme, "Mediation-The Solution," is the first of a week of activities to celebrate Mediation Week.