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Upcoming ‘Think Tank BVI’ initiative to foster VI youth development – Hon Smith

-initiative will be a quasi-independent group for youths & led by youths
Deputy Speaker in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) while providing an update on a number of projects has indicated that an idea to bring a local Think Tank in the VI has materialized into a new quasi-independent group called “Think Tank BVI” soon to be realised. Photo: Team of Reporters
‘Think Tank BVI’ according to the Deputy Speaker, will serve as a focal institute that ensures the concerns and solutions brought forward by our youth in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
‘Think Tank BVI’ according to the Deputy Speaker, will serve as a focal institute that ensures the concerns and solutions brought forward by our youth in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Deputy Speaker in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) while providing an update on a number of projects has indicated that his idea to create a local Think Tank in the VI has materialized into a new quasi-independent group called “Think Tank BVI” soon to be realised.

The Deputy Speaker made the announcement in an April 8, 2022, statement where he also noted that the initiative will further push local youth development and in turn, lead to more community development.

“It is my belief that through the introduction of a Think Tank in the Virgin Islands⁠—a Think Tank that is primarily designed and driven by our youth⁠—we can enable young people to develop the competencies, confidence, character, connection, and the contribution they need to affect the change they wish to see in the communities they are influenced and affected by,” Hon Smith said.

As such, he added that the initiative will allow youths will become active participants in shaping their own development and in creating community change.

Hon Smith underscored that the reason for most Think Tanks is to serve as important catalysts for ideas and action and with the VI facing social issues like Mental Illness, Poverty, Inflation, Crime, Inequality, Climate Change, the Spread of Infectious Disease, and more,  good ideas that can be acted upon are essential to address those issues. 

Initiative to be led by youth members - Hon Smith 

“Think Tank BVI, which will be owned, organised, managed, and operated by various youth members in the Virgin Islands and will be sponsored and facilitated by Forge BVI, will be hosting a series of community meetings in the coming weeks that will lead up to the official launch of a Think Tank Youth Forum,” Hon Smith added.

‘Think Tank BVI’  according to the Deputy Speaker, will furhter serve as a focal institute that ensures the concerns and solutions brought forward by local youth in the Virgin Islands. 

He said these solutions can come via research, ideas, businesses, policies, and plans to be turned into action through the endorsement and support of the local government and various stakeholders.  

“We can no longer just ‘talk’ for the sake of ‘talking’, we must provide our youth with the platforms, tools, and support they need to be prepared for the future they are destined to lead,” Hon Smith added.

Hon Smith said he endorses the youth that will be responsible for the development of Think Tank BVI and I look forward to seeing and hearing more from our youth through this project. 

Persons seeking more information on Think Tank BVI, can visit their website at www.thinktankbvi.com and follow their social media accounts at @thinktankbvi.

18 Responses to “ Upcoming ‘Think Tank BVI’ initiative to foster VI youth development – Hon Smith”

  • Windy (09/04/2022, 15:09) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    You go boy
    • I’m liking this (09/04/2022, 16:01) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
      Just focus and do what you have to do and you will be good to go.
  • ? (09/04/2022, 15:41) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Where was this the year during or after election? Why now all of a sudden?
  • cant fool d youths (09/04/2022, 17:22) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    What ever happened to 1000 jobs in 1000 days?
    • Wait, hold up (09/04/2022, 21:24) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      Sheep never said or promise anyone 1,000 jobs in 1,000 days. You have to ask the Premier about that.I like the way sheep handle the confusion about the elderly starving in the nursing home. I already made up in my mind I am only going to support Sheep and Kye from the VIP camp next election.
  • HMMM (09/04/2022, 20:16) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    Keep at it sheep you might be the only at large that makes it
  • E. Leonard (09/04/2022, 20:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Undoubtedly, a think tank is an invaluable idea and a priceless mechanism, a well-spring for new ideas that can/will benefit the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islanders and the public good. However, a think tank should be non-partisan, non-political, non-profit, etc. It should comprise a cross -section of the community and a cross-functional team of the young, seasoned folks with a little snow on the roof, men, women, professionals, elite working class, etc. The think tank must be more than a talk tank; it should produce fruit that be harvested. Who will provide the seed money, the working capital, to set it up, and funding for ongoing research and development, and test and evaluation? How will output be delivered and to whom?
    • RealPol (10/04/2022, 12:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      E. Loaned, as usual, real talk. I must say that ah yu does go away and most don’t look back only complaining about the direction and state of the BVI. But you contribute. Thanks. Hon Neville Smith think tank idea is great. We just need to flesh it out. Some people look at work and enjoy looking at it, some flap their gums, some do the heavy lifting quietly and some wonder what just happen.
    • Think Tank BVI (10/04/2022, 13:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you for sharing this comment. We appreciate your interest and obvious knowledge on Think Tanks. If you would be willing, we would love the opportunity to have a conversation with you and possibly add you to the Think Tank team. You can send us a private message to any of our social media accounts (FB, Twitter and Instagram) at @thinktankvi or reach out to us via our website at www.thinktankbvi.com.
  • @ mr E (10/04/2022, 07:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    THAT WAS WELL PUT TOGETHER
  • plumber (10/04/2022, 07:39) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    To begin with we need to empty the tank of this "easy money syndrome" idea. Most of our young people prefer to "kill the goose" and get the golden eggs than to wait until it is laid. Why bother to enroll in any initiative that would take hard work and years to give birth when you could do a "caesarian " (make a quick run) and get everything in one day? Cut the supply to the tank and they will start to think.
  • mutton or nothing (10/04/2022, 11:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I will rather vote for a goat
  • Well (10/04/2022, 11:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone is eating off Tortola because Tortola don’t have their act together. After all, you find a jackA.., you are going to ride the JackA.. for all it is worth.
  • lol (10/04/2022, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Instead he fasten he over VG making fast money
    • work (11/04/2022, 08:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @lol you didn't know you can fast and still do your work. Why we always so negative. Stop the hate and appreciate.
  • ... (10/04/2022, 14:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He has also been a good deputy speaker yall
  • must say (10/04/2022, 15:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Give Jack his jacket. I got one for him this man has a mind of his own you can feel and see the genuineness. Hate him or love him. Above board is his name not sheep anymore. What I can say is that the young people seems to have a little better communication link with him than any other.

    I believe if he wins a second term he will be a better politician with a servant heart. 4 years is not enough time to see the real above board man at work. The man have a soft heart, don't get me wrong, its not to soft to not tell you the truth and it hurt you but to love you. That's the 3 years veteran



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