1. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SURINAME SIXTH INTER-AMERICAN MEETING FOR MINISTERS OF EDUCATION QUITO, 12-14 AUGUST 2009

2. Education plan to guarantee the right to quality education and equal access to all forms and levels of education. High quality, flexible and affordable school and training facilities, enabling them to face the constantly changing national and international challenges in economic, social and cultural areas, and preparing them to make a substantial contribution to the further development of the nation. Compulsory education in Suriname :7-12 years. Education reform including designing new legislation on education. Incorporation of Young People's Motivation and Interests as Arcitects of their Future

3. At present, formal education is offered at the following levels: Pre-primary education Primary education Secondary education junior level Secondary education senior level Tertiary education Incorporation of Young People's Motivation and Interests as Arcitects of their Future

4. Youth policy: contributes to the optimal development of the own personality, the physical development, the preparation of professions, the cultural development, the social responsibility and a democratic attitude. Youth empowerment promoting youth participation Youth parliament :a structure enabling the youth to participate in social and community affairs that are important to them. Incorporation of Young People's Motivation and Interests as Arcitects of their Future

5. promote the right of youth participation at the administrative/executive level in order to make youth policy direct and effective. The national youth institute is an independent body facilitated by the ministry of education and community development more specifically by the directorate of youth affairs and reports directly to the president of the republic of Suriname. The following activities of the national youth institute are carried out by: The National Youth Parliament The Caricom Youth Ambassadors programme The United Nations Millenium Development Goals Youth Ambassadors programme Incorporation of Young People's Motivation and Interests as Arcitects of their Future

6. ANNUAL youth congress : one of the most concrete forms of youth participation on the executive level. In this congress youth between the ages of 12-25 are given the opportunity to discuss about several subjects that they see as relevant. Incorporation of Young People's Motivation and Interests as Arcitects of their Future

7. The basic life skills education program. Incorporated in formal and informal education sectors of Suriname. Basic life skills education is a thematic approach and based on the development of psycho-social competencies. This education program addresses attitudes and behaviours. The methodology is participatory, innovative and open for experiments. It connects to the life experiences of the student and the teacher and it concerns the young individual in the context of home, school and community. Incorporation of Young People's Motivation and Interests as Arcitects of their Future