Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

Three hundred Grenadians are excepted to make pledges to become members of a peace movement called, Xchange that was founded by top Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Machel Montano.

Montano was in Grenada Monday to address a press conference held at the National Development Foundation Conference Room on Lucas Street to give details about the movement that was formed in 2001.

He said the Xchange was first started by himself who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Derrick Lewis, Creative Director of Island People, a musical company in the twin-island republic.He indicated that they approached UNICEF for funding, and the U.N body supported the idea and gave assistance with formulating the concept of the movement.

Montano described Xchange as a movement for bringing about positive change among young people and adults in the Caribbean. He pointed out that the group is also geared at preventing violence and to bring out the potential in youths. "We want to trade war for peace, and hate for love", he told reporters.

According to the top entertainer, the Caribbean has always duplicated the ways and culture of North America, and this movement is taking a different focus, which is more along the lines of South America.

Machel said he has found that some places in South America are practicing African traditions, such as dance and songs, which is what he wants to promote in Caribbean youth. He disclosed that the movement also wants to change the view that Caribbean people have of one being successful. "We want to create a new image of success," he added.

Montano stressed that Xchange uses education, including music, art, sports, drama and other cultural expressions as entry points to reach persons with information that would lead to them adopting alternative behaviours and lifestyles and ultimately reduced violence.

UNICEF Communication Officer Lisa McClean Trotman said that her organisation was very excited when it was approached by Machel and others with the idea which was regarded as extremely timely. She pointed out that Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are members of the movement, with Grenada the first country to implement the movement in schools.

Xchange was launched in Trinidad in March, with hundreds of people attending. Office Co-odinator for Grenada Coalition on the Rights of the Child, Linda Straker said that Xchangers in Grenada will take part in a six-week Media training course that begins on July 11.

According to Straker, the media training will not only teach the basic principles of news reporting, but will teach the participants conflict resolution, anger management and job principals. She said the plan is to find employment for participants at various media houses on the island.

Other activities planned, Straker said include Martial Arts Training for young people in St.John's and the establishment of a youth arm in that parish. UNICEF National Consultant Leon Charles disclosed that Grenada will launch its movement on July 8, at the Tanteen Playing field in the form of a concert.

He said that Machel will perform at the show alongside local artistes such as calypso monarch Ajamu and Ijeal Joseph, Grenada's representative at the Digicel-sponsored song competition for the region known as Rising Star.

Charles said that they are looking to launch Xchange with no less than 300 young people but judging from the fast rate at which the movement is growing, they expect more young people to get involved.