The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is taking steps to strengthen the framework for youth participation in regional decision-making, according to CARICOM Chairman and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Speaking at a press conference following the close of the 49th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Tuesday, July 8, Holness said leaders had received and discussed a report from the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors highlighting the most urgent issues facing young people across the region.
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“We welcome their vision and their role in regional development and look forward to an improved institutional framework for their involvement,” Holness affirmed.
Responding to questions from journalists, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett emphasized the community’s commitment to ensuring youth voices are heard and valued.
“The community—and Chairman Holness—have made youth issues an absolute priority. We value the input of young people, and we are actively encouraging it,” she said, referencing the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Programme, which provides a platform for young people to engage in regional affairs.
Dr. Barnett stressed the importance of moving beyond symbolic participation, advocating for deeper, ongoing youth engagement in policy development.
“The Youth Ambassadors Programme is a key tool in developing youth involvement in policymaking and in influencing what we do. We want to involve them more systematically in the process, rather than limiting their participation to a single exchange with leaders during these summits,” she explained.
She also noted that CARICOM is currently reviewing a proposal from youth representatives aimed at creating a formal mechanism for sustained dialogue between young people and decision-makers.
“We are in the process of working out how to implement expanded youth involvement in CARICOM’s decision-making processes,” Dr. Barnett confirmed.
