(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Youth leaders of the Caribbean Region and experts in the area of youth work concluded a four-day meeting on Friday, in Kingston, Jamaica with a clearer path in charting a meaningful agenda for youth development.
The August 07 to 10 meeting was the second face-to-face meeting of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development (CCYD) that was launched in March 2007. It was established to provide an analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); and to make recommendations on how to improve their well-being and empowerment.
Professor Barry Chevannes, Co-chair of the Commission, said there was much work to be done in a short time, as the body’s work is to be presented to Heads of Government in July 2008.
However, he remained confident that the task would be completed on time, noting that the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors will be working assiduously with the Commission to ensuring that the job gets done.
“The CYAs are a tremendous resource,” Chevannes stressed. “Their enthusiasm – and that of the Focal Points – about the work of the Commission bodes very well for us in meeting the deadline and delivering a comprehensive document, which will assist the development of youth in the Region.”
CYAs are dynamic youth, appointed by the Department of Youth Affairs in Member and associated territories, to promote CARICOM initiatives to their peers and outline potential opportunities.
Interim Dean of the CYA Programme John Darville noted that the establishment of the Commission is timely, and that Youth Ambassadors are encouraged by the mandate of the Commission which is in keeping with the objectives of the CYAP.
He added that as a result of the Commission’s studies, CYAs will be better apprised of the key issues and challenges confronting CARICOM youth, subsequently developing the capacity to address them and thereby encouraging sustainable socio-economic development of the region.
Members of the CARICOM Secretariat participated at the meeting along with representatives from the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The CCYD comprises seven adult Commissioners and eight youth Commissioners. The Commission is co-chaired by former CYA Yldiz Beighle.
The CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP) and the Regional Network of National Youth Focal Points (RNNYFPs) are consultative bodies knowledgeable of youth culture and experienced in youth consultation and outreach. As such they are vital partners in mobilising adolescents and youth and coordinating the development and implementation of peer to peer education, consultation, action research and information dissemination elements of the Commission’s work plan.
