Kingston, Jamaica - Yendi Phillips, Ms. Jamaica World 2007, has agreed to be patron of the Yute X Advocacy Conference. Yute X is organized by the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) and is made possible by the USAID/JA-STYLE Project.

Yendi expressed that too many young people, especially those living in the inner city are marginalised, disempowered and left on their own. She also highlighted that her work with youth will help to empower and give them an avenue to express themselves.

“Yendi believes the conference is a space for us as young people to speak to the issues affecting us, empower ourselves and capitalise on the opportunity to develop and transform ourselves,” informed Roxanne Johnson-Brown, who heads the conference secretariat.

Yute X aims to raise awareness on issues affecting youth, pool youth advocacy efforts, establish partnerships and make recommendations on methods of dealing with youth advocacy issues in the Caribbean.

The conference will be held at the Knutsford Court Hotel from May 7 to 9, 2008 and will wrap-up with a Uniformed Groups Parade and Expo at Emancipation Park, New Kingston on May 10. The Uniformed Groups Expo is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Education Transformation Team.

The conference will feature plenary and skills building sessions, round table discussions, lunch-hour concerts, an advocacy market and a concert dubbed Yute Xpressionz.

Additional information can be obtained by calling the secretariat at 948 2149-51 or e-mailing yutex@jamaicayouthadvocacynetwork.org