Vice-President Joseph Belmont launches national theme
As Seychellois citizens, we should all think of what we can do to push our county forward and boost the life of our nation through creativity and hard work, Vice-President Joseph Belmont has said.
He was speaking at the official launch of this year’s national theme – Together, Ready for the Future – on Saturday at the Palais des Sports.
He said it is an inspirational theme set to guide our thoughts and actions throughout the year and which also represents an emphatic expression of patriotism, our desire to strive for the continued progress of our people and also our acceptance to come together as one in shaping up our common destiny.
The logo and theme song of the year were also introduced during the event which, apart from its cultural part, featured spiritual and moral reflections.
President James Michel was the guest of honour at the ceremony which was also attended by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Frederick Egonda-Ntende, Designated Minister Danny Faure, cabinet ministers, leader of government business in the National Assembly Marie-Louise Potter, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the National Assembly, local religious leaders and government officials.
Vice-President Belmont said we have started 2010 at a time where a lot remains to be done before we can satisfactorily declare our country safe from the economic crisis which affected the whole world last year.
He noted that under last year’s theme – Koste Seselwa – everybody united to ensure the survival of our economy.
He explained that one of the main tasks ahead is to ensure a healthy economic growth through the involvement of all actors in that particular field.
A group of young dancers get ready to pull down the backcloth (photo left) to reveal the theme’s logo (right)
He added that we should all be ready for a better future based on our creativity and hard work at governmental, private sector, community and individual levels.
Vice-President Belmont also said the national agenda for 2010 has been set up by the people through their contributions and aspirations during the consultative meetings with President Michel last year.
This, he said, has created the needs to revise the roles and responsibilities of our democratic institutions. He added that everyone should lend a hand in reinforcing our spiritual and moral values, in showing more respect for the law, in protecting our cultural heritage and also in adopting a more hardworking attitude.
He said 2010 will bring more responsibilities to parents, especially in protecting their children against social ills.
As for the youth, Vice-President Belmont said they should seize all available opportunities to contribute to the country’s development.
To conclude, he quoted from President Michel:
“2009 has prepared us for tomorrow. In 2010, as a nation, we are ready to face anything. We are ready to turn all challenges into opportunities.”