Volunteers from the Department of Youth Affairs showcase the flags of the countries of the region that are a part of the Commonwealth during Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting. (Photo by Kadeem Joseph)
Government officials and young people from across the Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean are mulling the major issues affecting youth as part of a three – day meeting, which started on Tuesday.
Topping the list of matters for discussion is youth employment and entrepreneurship, participation in civic and political processes, the role of young people in peace building, and the professionalisation of the youth work sector. These issues will be tabled during the Caribbean Region Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CR-CYMM), hosted by the government of Antigua & Barbuda.
The Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj said considering the Caribbean has one of the youngest populations in the Commonwealth, with more than 60 per cent of people aged 29 years or under, youth play a great role in the present and future development of the region.
He said youth are “an enormous asset to the region’s development, not just tomorrow, but today. We recognise that young people are playing a vital role in strengthening communities and championing democratic processes, leading and delivering change.”
However, Maharaj highlighted that there are many challenges facing youth related to unemployment, climate change, health issues or conflict.
“Young people are feeling the squeeze in the labour market, may lack the capital to start a business, or can be shut out of democratic decision-making,” he said.
“Commonwealth member governments are using this meeting, hosted and led by the Government of Antigua & Barbuda, to signal their commitment to young people and ensure that policy priorities are aligned to young people’s ambitions and needs.”