NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY LAUNCHED AS A BOLD INVESTMENT IN FUTURE LEADERS

Añadido: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]For years, the importance of investing in young people has remained a recurring theme across societies worldwide with many emphasizing that it is youth will ultimately become tomorrow's decision-makers, innovators, professionals, and drivers of national development. Recognizing this reality, St. Lucia through the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the National Youth Council, and other key stakeholders officially launched its 2025 to 2030 National Youth Policy on Friday, May 15th, 2026 in what officials described as a defining moment for youth empowerment and sustainable national progress. The launch ceremony held at the Derek Walcott Square in Castries brought together an energetic mix of young persons, youth advocates, educators, and stakeholders, all united by a common vision of creating a more inclusive and opportunity-driven future for the island's youth population.

[00:00:51]Representatives of the National Youth Council, Neus and Hutchinson, provided insight onto the launch of the youth policy. The National Youth Policy is a detailed document attached with the action plan that will support and encourage youth involvement in St. Lucia. The policy has been in It has been It has been It has been developed for a number of years now with consultations with stakeholders, youth organizations, the civil society, just name it. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, along with the National Youth Council, has gone the length and the width of St. Lucia to find out what the young people need and what they want. So, this policy is a culmination of everything that was brought forward. Everything that is in there, uh it came straight from the young people. It came from their ideas, what they want to see happen, and how how it will affect them. Similarly, Director of Youth Development and Sports in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports emphasized the rationale behind the initiative, noting that it was born out of the realization that there is greater need for the provision of services for young people that ultimately cater to their needs, ambitions, and passions.

[00:02:05]We've noted as a department that whereas we serve young people that we don't provide all of the services for young people. So, our policy is a government-wide policy because we are working closely with the agencies represented today to ensure that this framework caters for all of the challenges, talents, and interests of the young people in St. Lucia. The policy seeks to address several critical issues affecting young people including education, health, employment, entrepreneurship, social development, and overall well-being with officials emphasizing that the initiative is intended to benefit youth from every sector of society. Minister in the Ministry of Education with responsibility for early childhood, continuing, and special education, Honorable Dr. Butche highlighted the significance of the initiative noting that the launch comes at a crucial time for strengthening youth empowerment across the island.

[00:02:55]It's important at this time because you would find for the very safety and security again of our of our young people. Our young people have faced with so many issues, traditional issues, traditional issues for example, unemployment, bullying, but also now new issues for example, um >> [music] >> the security when it comes to social media. As we look at digital transformation, how secure our young people on on on our various social media platforms. Then we also look at an issue that is that is affecting our young people, the the boys on the block. How do we get them off the block to make sure that they're again an integral part of our of our society. So, I believe what we're seeing here today it's a government that heard, a government that heard the cries of our people, a government that listened, and a government that is listening to our young people to ensure [music] that we put forth the policies and the programs that will really impact our young people.

[00:03:55]The atmosphere of the event reflected optimism and hope with many young attendees expressing enthusiasm over the opportunities the policy is expected to create. Friday's launch of the national youth policy is being viewed as more than just a ceremonial event, but rather a strategic investment in the island's future leaders and change makers.

[00:04:15]For Choice News Now, I am Kishonna Smith.