Several youth officials from around the region met recently in Belize to discuss revisions for the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan (CYDAP).
According to CARICOM, “the proposal aims to create a unified, participatory model that strengthens youth leadership and fosters sustainable development across CARICOM Member States.”
The Meeting of Senior Officials of the Regional Directors of Youth Affairs took place at the Naïa Resort and Spa in Placencia from 31st October to 1st November, 2024.
Among the attendees were Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Youth Affairs, Dr Jrucilla Samuel, Research Manager at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr Terri-Ann Gilbert-Roberts, as well as Programme Manager for Youth Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Michele Small Bartley.
Representatives from Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines were also present at the meeting, which was moderated by CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, Esquire Henry of Antigua and Barbuda) and Aurie Gordon of St Vincent and the Grenadines).
Henry said that he was thankful for the opportunity to moderate and also be in the same space with directors of youth and statisticians on the last day. He is looking forward to the development and participation in more evidence-based projects.
During the final day, Dr Samuel presented on “The Role of the National Youth Policy in collecting youth development related data”, and highlighted some of the procedures that were implemented to collect data for the National Youth Policy 2021.
As she delivered her presentation amid a room of statisticians, directors, and young leaders, Dr Samuel pointed out that the meeting was “not a qualitative versus quantitative situation”. Focusing on the need to comprehend “the how and why” behind the statistics, the director underscored the need to capture “the unquantifiable aspects of reality”.
Dr Samuel also lamented the dearth of data in the region and the need for research officers to be strategically positioned in various government departments.
As she highlighted some findings of the policy, she recommended that the Ministry of Education should “elevate its level of persuasion and support to teachers who continue to resist digital literacy as a core literacy. The incorporation of technology into 21st-century classrooms should no longer be optional,” Dr Samuel added.
The CARICOM Youth Development Index (CYDI) was also introduced, and will serve as a crucial tool for guiding youth policies and programmes within CARICOM Member States.
It will ensure the fulfilment of the Declaration of Paramaribo on the future of youth in the Caribbean Community and that the correct mechanisms are in place to empower youth.
