As of today, the former Ministry of Sport and Youth has been transformed into the 'Ministry of Youth Development and Sport'. This name change is accompanied by a fundamental change of direction: where previously fragmented initiatives and ad hoc solutions prevailed, there will now be a coherent policy that inextricably links sport, education, participation and economic independence.
Central to this is the further development of the existing youth POWER model (Participation, Development, Resilience, Economic Opportunity and Justice). Under the new flag, four spearheads will be set out: targeted talent promotion and top sports facilities; accessible recreational sports facilities; closer cooperation between educational institutions and sports clubs; and active involvement of young people in policy-making and entrepreneurship.
Sport is given a broader social role: no longer merely a means for fitness and competition, but a powerful tool for social cohesion and mental resilience. That is why the ministry reserves additional resources for the refurbishment of neighborhood sports fields, the development of after-school exercise programs and the professionalization of local associations. Teachers and trainers are also given the role of mentors and role models in extended youth programs.
Under the slogan "Leave No One Behind," the government aims to make sports facilities and coaching accessible to all young people, whether they live in Paramaribo, in remote villages or with disabilities. Specific projects focus on school dropouts, young mothers and vulnerable groups that have so far been out of sight. Thus, sports participation must be available everywhere, from the interior to the urban fringe.
At the same time, the ministry prepares young people for a dynamic job market. Passions and skills can be turned into self-employed ventures within the sports sector. New initiatives-varying from event organization to coaching and educational programs-receive support in the form of network access, funding, and hands-on learning paths. Sport thus becomes both a social tool and an engine for economic growth.
The ministry emphasizes that only cooperation with employers, schools, sports associations, NGOs and top athletes can realize this ambition. Practical implementations such as internships, mentorships and work-study programs must bridge the gap between policy and practice. "Young people do not need well-intentioned plans, but perspective," the minister declared. With this turnaround in vision and method, Suriname wants to prepare and strengthen a new generation of youth in the coming years-because when youth develop, the whole country grows with them.
