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Youth-led Consultations to help foster more robust and meaningful youth engagement in the Caribbean
In a concerted effort to empower the vibrant and diverse youth population of the Caribbean, UNESCO recently conducted two focus groups to garner insights and recommendations from young people on ways in which meaningful youth engagement can be fostered across the sub-region.
The Caribbean region is home to a diverse and dynamic population of young people, who face a range of social, economic, and political challenges. In recent years, UNESCO has worked with partners in the Caribbean to promote youth participation in governance, education, sciences and cultural activities. UNESCO’s work on youth engagement in the Caribbean is guided by the principle of “youth as partners” - recognizing the value of youth voices and perspectives in shaping policies and practices that affect their lives.
Against this background, two youth-led focus groups titled ‘A deep dive into Meaningful Youth Engagement in the Caribbean’ were conducted on 15 and 20 June, 2023. The focus groups saw representation from over thirty young people from English and Dutch-Speaking Caribbean Countries, i.e: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos. These sessions were conducted by Antonette Dennis who is part of UNESCO’s global pool of young trainers on Meaningful Youth Engagement.
Youth engagement in decision-making is important, because it works as a mechanism to ensure accountability and also includes the voice of those that will be most affected by the decision.
The focus groups brought together young advocates, peacebuilders, researchers, and youth organizations, fostering a dynamic environment for discussion and collaboration. The primary objectives of the focus groups were twofold. Firstly, they aimed to identify the key challenges and barriers hindering meaningful youth engagement in decision-making processes across the Caribbean. Participants candidly shared their experiences, shedding light on the multifaceted social, economic, and political obstacles faced by young people.
[Meaningful] Youth engagement in the Caribbean is hindered by many challenges, including social inequalities, employment opportunities, and a lack of accessible platforms for the voices of all types [subgroups] of youth to be heard. Overcoming these hurdles is crucial to unlocking the immense potential of the region's youth.
Secondly, the focus groups sought to garner insights from the participants regarding effective practices and solutions for fostering meaningful youth engagement. By facilitating open dialogue and exchange, the sessions generated a wealth of innovative ideas and recommendations, highlighting the transformative potential of actively involving young people in the region.
Our voices need to be heard, valued and respected. We are the leaders of today. The decisions made today have an impact on future generations. Our populations are burdened by social problems, and the inability of youth to participate in the decision-making process means that a portion of the population is not represented.
The youth participants underscored the importance of valuing diversity among young people and emphasized the urgent need for targeted strategies that actively involve and include youth from various backgrounds. Recognizing the significance of factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, education, social status, place of residence (rural/urban), sexual orientation, physical and intellectual abilities, and interests, they called for greater inclusion in programmes and decisions centered around violence prevention, climate action, and policy development.
They also highlighted the necessity of providing leadership skills, community-building skills, conflict management skills, civic education, and developing opportunities to empower youth in contributing effectively to violence prevention efforts, addressing climate change challenges, and actively participating in policy-making processes. The participants emphasized that by recognizing and embracing the diverse perspectives and capabilities of young people, and by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills, stakeholders can harness the potential of youth as powerful agents of positive change in these critical areas.
Drawing upon the knowledge and valuable insights gained from the focus groups, UNESCO will proceed to develop a comprehensive knowledge product focused on the value and relevance of meaningful youth engagement in the Caribbean. This resource will not only emphasize the significance of meaningful youth engagement in the Caribbean but will also provide practical strategies and recommendations for organizations and individuals seeking to enhance their capacity in engaging youth effectively.
