Twenty-seven Regional Youth Ambassadors of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and one Associate Member were inducted in a ceremony in Paramaribo, Suriname Monday 19August, 2002. The Ambassadors made their pledge to take full advantage of the opportunities to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the challenges which confront nationals of CARICOM to use their talents, energies and resources to act as goodwill emissaries for their peers, nations and the entire Region.
The induction and opening ceremony held at the start of a ten day training workshop under the theme “HIV/AIDS, Risk Taking Behaviour, Human Capacity and Sustainable Development: The Challenge for Youth” was declared open by His Excellency Drs Runaldo R. Venetiaan, President of Suriname. ” Today it is clear that regional integration has become a precondition for the survival of the countries,” he told the peer-leaders. His Excellency went on to add, “my young fellow promoters of the notion of CARICOM, be aware of the fact that the task you have taken on is as serious as the mission that lies on the shoulders of the Leaders of CARICOM, of their governments, of civil society, the private business sector, the labour unions and other non-governmental organizations”.
Dr Marrashetty Seenappa of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) speaking at the Opening Ceremony told the Youth Ambassadors that they represent a critical component of society because they symbolize a force of change. Therefore, through advocacy and civic action they possess the energy to play a vital role in the process of policy change and governance. On the issue of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Dr Seenappa added, “only young people can change the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through HIV/AIDS education, you have the challenge to assist in the control of the spread of this dreadful disease which has had the greatest effect on young people.”
In his address, Dr Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary General for Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, told the young leaders that the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Programme was one effort of CARICOM Heads of Government to better position the youth to contribute to regional development.
Noting that the induction was taking place at the heels of the International Youth Week, and in the home of the government head with regional portfolio for “culture, youth, sports and gender”, Dr Greene emphasised the need for CARICOM to look to the youth, in confronting the increasing global economic challenges. He urged the youth to make their voices heard. “The voice of the youth must be included in the evolution of the developmental strategies and youth involvement in the process of seeking solutions is vital because the decisions made now – whether borrowing from the World Bank or cutting back on social programmes for purposes of structural adjustment – will have an effect on the decision of future leaders”, he told the young Ambassadors.
The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Programme was a mandate given by the Heads of Government in 1993 as part of the 20th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The twenty-seven ambassadors are the second set since the reactivation of this peer-leadership initiative in July 2000. They are expected to give service and exercise influence in promoting the goals, aims and objectives of the Caribbean Community, to model and promote pride in regional diversity and responsible citizenship with a view to empowering the youth of the region.
The European Union is a major funder of the Regional Youth Ambassador's Training Workshop in their efforts to meet their commitment to the causes of HIV/AIDS and Youth.
