The Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards Ceremony for Excellence was introduced in 1998 by the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson. The Award recognises youth who have excelled and contributed to national development, and seeks to provide a platform for youth to showcase their achievements in various fields. Each recipient must meet the eligibility criteria of 15-29 years as of the end of December of the year the award is granted. The Prime Minister’s National Youth Award is the highest national honour bestowed on Jamaicans between the ages of 15 and 29 years.

Since the inception of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence in 1998, scores of awards have been conferred. Awards have been conferred upon young Jamaicans who have achieved eminent National and international distinction in the categories of:

Sports

Academics

Journalism

Innovation in Science and Technology

Youth Development

Agriculture

Entrepreneurship / Social Entrepreneurship

Music

The Arts and Culture

National Leadership

Environmental Protection

Nation Building

The Awards was originally conceptualised as part of the Values and Attitudes Campaign. To this end, the Awards seeks to promote attitudinal change and social renewal, through reinforcing the

positive values of self-discipline, hard work, dedication and humility. The Awards portrays each recipient as a positive role model for their peers as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Jamaica’s youth population constitutes the most important and productive resources for national development. It is against this background that the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence seeks to recognize and encourage some of the many young Jamaicans who continue to achieve and make outstanding contributions to national development.

Email Address: yapdjamaica@moey.gov.jm