May 6, 2010 No. 16/10-G CDB TO HOST VYBZING YOUTH FORUM IN THE BAHAMAS The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) celebrates its 40th Anniversary during the year 2010. As part of its celebrations, CDB will host a youth forum called Vybzing Bahamas during the week of its Annual Board of Governors' Meeting, May 17-21, 2010, in Nassau, The Bahamas. Vybzing Bahamas will be held at the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino on Thursday, May 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDB recognizes that the Region's youth must be seen as active players in development, and that youth fora such as Vybzing allow young people to fully utilize their potential for creative and critical thinking on issues of social and economic development. Vybzing is also expected to build awareness and understanding of creating sustainable futures among the Region's youth. As part of Vybzing Bahamas, CDB has sponsored an essay and poster competition. The theme of the competition is "Sustainable Agriculture for Regional Food Security". The competition is open to senior secondary school students throughout The Bahamas. Attractive prizes will be awarded to the overall winners in each category. First place winners will receive a Netbook computer; second place an Apple Nano; and third place an Apple ¬°Pod Shuffle. Secondary school students from New Providence as well as the Family Islands have been invited to attend the Vybzing Bahamas Forum. Mr. David Bynoe, Agronomist with the Ministry of Agriculture in Barbados, will present on the main theme, while Ms. Keeley Holder, IPM Specialist, Barbados, and Dr. Marikis Alvarez, IICA Representative, Nassau, will speak on the theme "Agriculture in the 21st Century". All students will have the opportunity to participate in the discussions.