The Department of Youth Affairs will continue to hold national consultations from April 19 to 23 as it updates the National Youth Policy.
Entrepreneurs, educators, non-governmental and community-based organisations and political youth arms are just a few groups that have already participated in the consultations.
One of the contributors to the discussion was National Youth Ambassador Julien Kentish.
“We not only identified problems within the educational, business, employment and mental health setting but we also came up with solutions, and that was breathtaking. Recommendations likewise were given by these young people.” Kentish said while speaking to Antiguan Trumpet.
“It was eye-opening to see young people from different walks of life, youth leaders such as the President of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, Mr Caleb Gardner, Youth Entrepreneur and Politician, Mrs Chaniel Imhoff, CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Lyle Jackson and several other leaders throughout the discussion. There were Police Officers, Firefighters, teacher who were all youth” he added.
“Young people should be involved in the decision-making process”
Jahmaal Frederick was one of the youths who represented the United Progressive Party and he also participated in the consultation.
Jahmaal expressed amazement at the potential youth have in bringing their ideas together. He ended the conversation by encouraging young people to continue to let their voices be heard and admonished those in authority to continue to listen to the youth.
“I truly enjoyed being there with my fellow youth from all political parties and dialoguing with them, sharing all our ideas and vision for Antigua and Barbuda going into the future” Frederick shared with our reporters.
“Thank you to the United Progressive Party (UPP) for giving me the opportunity in representing them and also Dr Samuel and her team at the Department of Youth Affairs for hosting the consultation”
