00:00To officially declare this multiple district 60, 46th, multiple district 60 convention of the Lions officially open.
00:15This year the convention is taking place under the theme unity and diversity sharing the Caribbean spirit.
00:21In delivering the feature address, economist Dr. Malinat says volunteerism is more than a kind act.
00:28Dr. Atts points to an investment in human capital, social cohesion and stability at the community level, which she says
00:36takes some of the burden off of governments.
00:39However, amid a regional economic shift including the increasing cost of living impacting many households, she indicates that resilience is
00:48no longer a choice but rather a must.
00:51In this new reality, vulnerability is no longer defined only by poverty.
00:56It is defined by transition and our ability to navigate and embrace that transition.
01:03Dr. Atts cites the advancement of artificial intelligence, a widening skills gap and brain drain due to a lack of
01:11employment opportunities.
01:13And so she says volunteerism or lionism in the context of Lions Club International must be altered to meet that.
01:21Dr. And I suggest, respectfully so, that the next phase of lionism should move from helping communities survive to helping
01:31them transform.
01:33It should include mentoring young people not just for the jobs of today but for the industries of tomorrow.
01:40It should support digital literacy, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.
01:44It should also strengthen mental resilience in times of uncertainty.
01:48But funding challenges are also impacting philanthropic efforts and so, the Economist outlines the need to think outside of the
01:57traditional scope of acquiring financial resources.
02:01Dr. Atts says strategy is an important element in this.
02:05The need to strengthen partnerships with governments, with private sector and with regional and international development institutions.
02:13Lions Clubs bring credibility, reach, and community trust.
02:19These are assets to be leveraged.
02:23There is also scope to explore innovative financing mechanisms, whether through grant funding, corporate social responsibility partnerships,
02:31or blended financing models that combine public, private, and philanthropic resources.
02:37The conference runs until May 10th at the Radisson Hotel, ahead of the new term beginning on July 1st.
02:44Over the coming days, we will renew our commitment to serve, build stronger leadership and partnership,
02:53and continue working together under our motto, we serve.
02:58Parliamentary Secretary of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Colin Gosein, highlights that the 24 Lions Clubs countrywide serve national development
03:08through what he calls civic leadership in action.
03:11Multiple District 60 spanning from Guyana and Suriname to the Eastern Caribbean,
03:17and the North demonstrates what collaboration across borders can achieve.
03:23Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
03:28Videoographics.
03:28Our promoting visitor siÄ™.
03:28лишfern,
03:28You
Comments