The Nevis Youth Summit: Empowering Young Minds and Leaders

About the Event

The Nevis Youth Summit, held at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park on November 27, brought together 85 participants from various schools and youth groups on the island. The event aimed to provide a platform for young people to share their experiences, engage with government leaders, and discuss important issues affecting their lives.

Objectives

The summit had two main objectives:

To provide insights into the roles, experiences, and actions undertaken by young people in combating climate change and promoting awareness at various levels.
To advocate for a collaborative, all-encompassing approach to addressing crime and violence, exploring the root causes, assessing their impact, and proposing strategies for preventing youth violence.

Speeches and Remarks

The Honourable Latoya Jones, Special Advisor to the Premier, emphasized the importance of the event, stating that it provided an opportunity for young people to share their experiences and engage with government leaders on important issues.

Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley, expressed pride in his administration’s support for initiatives aimed at enhancing the development and empowerment of young people. He encouraged the youths to get involved and not wait until adulthood to make their contributions to society, saying:

“Get involved, and don’t let anybody persuade you that your contribution has to be delayed because you’re young. Your contribution can happen right now, in small spaces, in large spaces. I hope that this symposium, so important, as we engage with our youth, that you will be able to step up, speak up and be able to say what your ideas are. All ideas should be brought to the fore and ideas should contend.
“Leadership is not just the Premier and the Ministers of Cabinet. Each and every one of you is a leader in your own right; every one of you has a sphere of influence in your own right.”

Director of Sports, Mr. Jamir Claxton, and United Nations Country Coordination Officer for St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr. Cosbert Woods, also delivered remarks at the event.

Conclusion

The Nevis Youth Summit was a resounding success, providing a platform for young people to engage with government leaders and discuss important issues affecting their lives. The event emphasized the importance of empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their future and to recognize that leadership is not limited to those in positions of power.

FAQ

Q: What was the main objective of the Nevis Youth Summit?
A: The main objectives were to provide insights into the roles, experiences, and actions undertaken by young people in combating climate change and promoting awareness at various levels, and to advocate for a collaborative, all-encompassing approach to addressing crime and violence.

Q: Who attended the summit?
A: The event was attended by 85 participants from various schools and youth groups on the island, including students from the Nevis Sixth Form College, Charlestown Secondary School, Gingerland Secondary School, and Nevis International Secondary School, as well as representatives from various youth groups.

Q: What was the tone of the event?
A: The event was interactive, with a focus on engagement and discussion between the participants and government leaders.

Q: What was the takeaway message from the event?
A: The takeaway message was that young people have the power to make a difference and that leadership is not limited to those in positions of power. They were encouraged to get involved, speak up, and bring their ideas to the fore.