Last Updated on October 20, 2022, 2:27 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis hosted an induction ceremony on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, for Jalen Monzac and Iana Franks.
The authorities arranged the ceremony at the Department of Youth Empowerment. During the ceremony, Jalen and Iana were introduced as the country’s new CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs).
Director of Youth Empowerment Pierre Liburd, who also served as a CYA in the early 2000s, took the opportunity to state that the opportunities presented to the young people through this programme are highly beneficial.
CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) are a regional network of young Caribbean nationals directed by CARICOM Heads of Governments to advocate for and educate young people concerning regional priorities such as AIDS and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
According to Director of Youth Empowerment Pierre Liburd, “Once an individual, appointed as the CYA, applies themselves and remains focused on their objectives, they will make their nation and the youth thereof proud.
He further elaborated on the objectives of the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors to truly, honestly represent young people – their dreams, aspirations, views and positions.
Junior Minister responsible for Youth Development in the government of St Kitts and Nevis, Isalean Phillip, congratulated the two individuals on their appointment. She said the Department of Youth Empowerment staff are incredibly excited to work with the team and look forward to hearing their ideas.
Further, Junior Minister Phillip addressed the newly appointed CYAs, “I hope that you both have that fire and that spark and are ready to take the ideas that you have as young leaders and be able to impact your communities,”
Isalean Phillip added that she previously served as a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. She stated that during her experience, she established valuable networks that still exist today.
“I want to encourage you and look forward to your leading engagements because we are here to do work,” she said.
She remarked, “The future is bright, and I have every confidence in both of you based on my interactions.”
The CYAs will serve for the next two years. A corps of ambassadors will support them, comprised of 11 young persons.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
