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Reflecting on my journey with Youth Can Do I.T. (YCDI) feels like traversing a path of growth, discovery, and empowerment. It all began back in 2018 when I participated in Girl's Mentorship program. At that point, I had been doing IT but wasn't the most "techiest" person. However, thanks to the program, it became even clear to me that I didn't need to be an expert in ICT to make an impact on this revolutionary sector. Thus began my interest in Tech. So, when the opportunity came to join YCDI as a C.H.A.N.G.E Agent , it was a no brainer. This time around ,I had the distinct opportunity to give back to an organisation that has left an impreshionable mark on my life. I started my new role in February 2023, working alongside Ms. Cherika Wilson , the Head of People Relations and Mr. Christopher Derell, Chief Technology Officer. I have learnt so much from these two individuals .In fact , I have a greater appreciation and passion for Project Management because of the experience with working with Cherika and Chris. The focal point of YCDI's endeavors in the 2023-2024 period was the Metaverse. Admittedly, before this program, my knowledge of the Metaverse was limited. However, a spark was kindled during YCDI's Iam Witty conference held in the Metaverse in 2022, which piqued my interest in Project Amplify : Ethics in the Metaverse. YCDI collaborated with Jesus College at Oxford for Project Amplify. This allowed me the opportunity to meet Dr. Samantha-Kaye Johnston , who is the project coordinator from Jesus College. This woman is a phenomenial individual who has a passion for Ethics in the use of technology. It was a pleasure working alongside Dr. Samantha-Kaye Johnston. Project Amplify took the form of 4 Phases , with the aim of producing the Ethical Guidelines for the use of the Metaverse as well as the participants creation of their own Metaverse. Unlike many things that we do today, Project Amplify applied co-design for the creation of the Ethical Guidelines. This meant that our participants ages 11-17 , the C.H.A.N.G.E Agents and our project coordinators all worked together to create the guidelines document. I must admit these sessions were my absolute favourite because I was able to have conversations with our participants about Ethics in the Metaverse and hear them develop their ideas for rules that we ought to develop to ensure that everyone can remain safe and feel accepted in the Metaverse. The pinnacle of this journey was our presentation at the Digital Hub at Jesus College at Oxford on February 13, 2024, where we delved into the topic of Ethics in the Metaverse through the eyes of Jamaican Youth. This experience allowed me to lead crucial conversations on ethical considerations in the Metavers, engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds who emphasized the necessity for ongoing dialogue on Ethics in emerging technologies. We were able to continue this conversation during our visit to the HIgh Commissioner of Jamaica to the UK. This project actually puts Jamaica on the map because we are first to do a project of this magnitude and scope in the world. I am so happy that I was able to be apart of this project. As I started this blog , I mentioned that I wasn't the most "techy" person. I am still not that "techy" but I have garned quite a few skills under my belt. So, to anyone who feels that you may not have all the skills to contribute to technology, there is a place for you and your background matters. This experience has taught me, that as a student of International Relations , Political Science and Strategy and Bussiness Management that my diverse background can contribute to research and project on emerging backgrounds through important topics such as Ethics. Merci donc à YCDI pour cette expérience complète qui m'a conduit à une découverte et à un développement plus profonds de moi-même.

I am looking forward to camp for Project Amplify Three of my hobbies include: - Reading - Watching track - Travelling I did the personality quiz and got "The Beaver". How I feel about welcoming the new campers??

Originally published on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 by The Jamaica Observer. Youth Can Do IT (YCDI) marked Girls in ICT Day 2021 with the second staging of their two-day virtual event #iamWITy (I am woman in technology). High school and university students and working professionals in attendance were educated, empowered and encouraged to take up space as women in technology. Sponsored by NCB Foundation, Microsoft Caribbean and Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance (JTDA), the event was held from April 22 to 23 under the theme 'Amplify your story: What will you create '. International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated worldwide, annually, on the last Thursday of April, with the goal of “creating a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies”. Minister of Education, Youth and Information Fayval Williams and Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, head of Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team at the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology reaffirmed their commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education and urged companies to create a pipeline for women entering the industry. Keynote speaker for day one, Sheree Martin, head of retail banking at NCB, encouraged participants to adopt the right “heart set”. Dr Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code, challenged the audience to close the widening gender gap in tech. The daily workshops provided participants with hands-on opportunities to learn invaluable skills from leading experts in the field. Topics included: Storytelling with Data from Raquel Seville, CEO of BI Brainz; Cybersecurity with Dr Moniphia Hewling, CEO of eMRock Online; User Experience from the JTDA IEEE group; Marketing and Branding with Kadia Francis, founder of the Digital Jamaica Platform; and Monique McIntosh, co-founder of Digital Disruption Agency; Agile Leadership with Nicole Safley from Elevate Agility; and Data, Artificial Intelligence and Coding from the Microsoft team of Iasia Brown, Jasmine Greenaway and Adriana Menedez. Read Full Article on The Jamaica Observer

SO guys you know that I always write on the blog but during the past month me and my mom have been back to school shopping so now that I have the time to think of something for you guys you will be getting a story twice a week sorry guys that's the best I can't do right now sorry again 💕😞guys just stay safe😊✋

Hi guys I'm back with a new and hot topic The haschak sisters, as some of you guys kn ow that they are utube channel stars I was thinking that I would give you guys an update on the haschak sisters so tell me in the comments below this DIVINE Steadman signing out bye. ✋😁

Hi guys sorry I didn't post anything for a while I found something on the internet it is similar to scratch I think it's easier (just saying) you can create your own dance parties and dance moves you can do it in real life trust me it's super cool and it's free all you have to do is put in a user name or e-mail create your own password and create your own code. Ps. I love you guys hope you are safe watch the kids bop music video Every thing means nothing if i can't have you. Bye😁✋

I have been playing video games with my dad which is really fun. I have also been watching a lot of YouTube. My top 10 favourite You Tubers are: 1. Graser 2. Bionic 3.shadowapples 4. Norris nuts 5. Azzyland 6.fgteev 7.funnel vision 8. Unspeakable 9.lankybox 10.Kiingtong. I have also been texting my friends and reading diary of a wimpy kid. I have been Making multiple games and animations on scratch. I hope you liked my blog bye now

Write a letter to your future self.... Dear Future Me, Hey, I know you are probably older now, about 10 years from now, more wiser and smarter than you ever been. I am currently 13 years And I wanted to share my goals with you from now so you know what you will achieve in the future from now. I am attending Ardenne High School, you would probably remember that, all the struggles and stress we went through just to get grades and pass our exams, WOW!! time flies so fast, but I want to know. How are you? How is life? Have you be following your dream? Have you finally got your dream job?. I really wish I could meet but instead I will use a letter to link our connection. I have a challenge I want to discuss you as you must over come it, we have struggle to improve our confidence, especially since we are shy, but I want you to know that shyness is an anchor is an protect, we have had this challenge for years, I am not saying you should not give it up, but you have to maintain it, enough so you that you can have the confidence to face fears and to take more risks. To be honestly, you are an amazing person with a talented personality filled with super strength which are useful to approach our challenge. We can approach our shyness by using our resilience to minimize it and to be more open-minded in situations where we can take risk for more success. I hope by time you read this you will have already gotten over our challenge, I hope you have change from this issue to be more confident. I hope when you read this you feel good about your self and be enough. I love you and I wish you the best of success, love and support from the moon and back. Good Luck in the Future. Your sincerely, Present Self

I am Naricka Bryan and i enjoyed this class a lot. We learned a lot of things like: making games from scratch,creating websites and i also enjoy the positive comments. I also enjoy taking to other people and sharing games. As a YCDI Creater i am so proud and greatful. Thank you for your support

It has been a very productive week and I can surely say that I have enjoyed this camp. I have learnt many things throughout the week, like how to operate the Scratch App. I created games and did my own experimenting on the app therefore teaching myself more than what was taught. I'd like to thank all the presenters who shared their knowledge of I.T with us. I can gladly say that this week was a superb one.

My name is Hamahnee Atkinson and my experience at the ycdi camp was amazing i learnt a lot of things like scratch and how to create a website. Being at ycdi camp has been a wonderful experience talking to other people discussing and sharing or creations and having nice and wonderful comments. I would like to give a thumbs up to the presenter and the coordinator of YCDI for giving me such a wonderful experience it has been a superb week thank you all.

It has been a very productive week of YCDI creator camp. The presenters of the camp always strive so that everyone understand the concepts of the work and it has been fun. Although I was a little lost on the HTML and the CSS I was able to get caught back up to speed thanks to my peers. The day and week have been fun and I would recommend it to anyone. The coding scratch development and everything was fun I am truly thankful for it all