“Across CARICOM, young people are driving innovations in technology, transforming the creative industries, championing climate action, and reimagining how our societies can thrive. This cohort of Young Professionals reflects that diversity and dynamism.”
Dr Carla Barnett | Secretary-General | CARICOM
Friday, 17 October 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown): Twenty-three young professionals from 12 CARICOM Member States have strengthened their knowledge of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) after completing four months of intensive training through the CARICOM Young Professionals Programme (CYPP). The initiative was designed to empower youth with the skills to educate their peers on the CSME and advocate for greater youth participation in its implementation.
To mark the completion of the programme and officially launch the CARICOM Young Professionals Network (CYPN), a certificate presentation ceremony was held on Friday, 17 October at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana.
In her keynote address, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett expressed strong support for the Network, emphasising its potential in ensuring that youth voices remain central to the implementation of the CSME.
Alison Drayton, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General for Human and Social Development, expressed pride in the cohort of young professionals, commending their dedication and active participation during the four months of virtual and in-person training.
She also shared the Secretary-General’s strong support for the launch of the CYPN, reinforcing its huge potential to amplify youth engagement across the Region.
Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, H.E. George Talbot delivered remarks on behalf of Hon. Hugh Hilton Todd, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He commended the CARICOM Secretariat for spearheading the initiative and emphasised the vital importance of youth engagement in advancing the CSME.
He also offered his reflections on the launch of the CYPN, underscoring its potential to strengthen regional integration through youth leadership.
Strengthening Partnerships and Networks to Advance CSME Awareness
The CYPP was officially launched in June 2025 at the CARICOM Secretariat headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana. After the launch, participants returned to their respective countries to craft strategic advocacy plans focused on the CSME.
Janina Choj of Belize emphasised the importance of developing a structured advocacy framework to help young Belizeans better understand and engage with the CSME.
She shares details about the development of her public education plan below.
Orville Levy and Yanique Mendez of Jamaica collaborated to build strategic networks and partnerships aimed at strengthening their advocacy for the CSME.
They share insights into their collaborative approach below.
Abike Doughty and Brittni Peters of Trinidad and Tobago developed their CSME advocacy framework by strategically networking and collaborating with key officials.
They provide a brief illustration of their approach below.
The CYPP, was developed by the CARICOM Secretariat and it is being implemented with support from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Strengthening Framework for CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Process (SFCICP) Programme.
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About the CYPP
The CYPP was launched to enhance youth leadership in the CSME across the Region. It provided immersive training, practical workshops, and experiential learning to equip young professionals with the tools to understand and advocate for the CSME. The first in-person session took place in June 2025, and the October gathering built on that momentum with greater impact.
Additional information:
In the Region, the CSME is a significant milestone in regional integration efforts. It aims to create a single market and economy among participating CARICOM Member States.
Envisioned to facilitate economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development across Member States, the CSME offers a plethora of opportunities. It allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and skilled labour within the Region, fostering economic integration and cooperation. By breaking down barriers to trade and investment, the CSME seeks to unlock the Region’s economic potential and enhance competitiveness on the global stage.
Helpful links:
CARICOM Young Professionals Return for a Week of Inspiration, Innovation, and Impact!
https://caricom.org/caricom-young-professionals-return-for-a-week-of-inspiration-innovation-and-impact/
CARICOM enhancing skills of young professionals as CSME Ambassadors
https://caricom.org/caricom-enhancing-skills-of-young-professionals-csme-ambassadors/
Moving CSME Forward: Young Professionals Equipped as CSME Ambassadors
https://caricom.org/moving-csme-forward-young-professionals-equipped-as-csme-ambassadors/
Photo caption:
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett (centre), Deputy Secretary-General Armstrong Alexis (second right), Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, H.E. George Talbot (first left), along with CARICOM officials and CYPP participants, following the launch of the CARICOM Young Professionals Network
Photography:
Additional photos of the certificate presentation are available here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCxRck
About CARICOM:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was established on 4 July 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which was revised in 2001 to allow for the establishment of a single market and economy. CARICOM comprises fifteen Member States and six Associate Members and is home to approximately sixteen million citizens, 60% of whom are under 30 years old. CARICOM’s work rests on four main pillars: economic integration; foreign policy coordination; human and social development; and security cooperation.
The members of CARICOM work together to create a Community that is integrated, inclusive and resilient; driven by knowledge, excellence, innovation and productivity; a Community which is a unified and competitive force in the global arena, where every citizen is secure and has the opportunity to realise his or her potential with guaranteed human rights and social justice, and contributes to, and shares in, its economic, social and cultural prosperity.
CARICOM remains one of the best examples of integration in the developing world.
The CARICOM Secretariat, the principal administrative organ of the Community, is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana.
