(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) President of the Republic of Suriname and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) H.E. Desire Delano Bouterse, on Thursday, challenged CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and youth leaders from the 12-member Union of South American Countries (UNASUR) to do the responsible thing and get involved in the representational politics of their regions.

President Bouterse was addressing the first ever High Level Youth exchange between CARICOM and UNASUR that he himself had initiated, in Paramaribo Suriname. The two-day meeting provided a platform on which youth leaders from both regions exchanged views on youth governance structures; leadership development challenges and capacity building.

“You are called upon not only to be politically savvy but to become involved the politics of your regions. It is an important part of being a responsible citizen,” the CARICOM Chairman asserted.

Outlining the several challenges confronting both regions, the Suriname President asserted that “we need a social revolution and strong transformational and political leadership to achieve this revolution.”

He emphasized that “politics provide a platform on which young people can address social concerns,” and that political leadership was necessary to address some of the region’s pressing challenges, including climate change, Chronic-Non-Communicable Diseases; un-employment, youth gangs and violence.

President Bouterse challenged youth leaders to make a difference in the region, noting that in making a difference as transformational leaders, they must be creative thinkers with a vision for the kind of world in which they wanted to live.

“As creative thinkers,” he added “you must not only challenge the status quo but encourage creativity among your peers. You are called upon to explore new ways of doing things, introduce innovations and create new opportunities to learn.”

According the President who has lead responsibility for youth development in the quasi cabinet of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government, young peoples of the Region must balance their privileges, rights and freedom with responsibility and accountability and exercise discipline, tenacity of purpose and commitment in leading their peers.

“We are committed to helping you but to whom much is given, much is expected!”

Meanwhile, Ms Myrna Bernard, Officer in Charge of the Human and Social Development Directorate at the CARICOM Secretariat joined the President in challenging the youth leaders to “lead with vision, integrity and moral courage that connect sense of identity and self to the mission and ideals of both regions.” “Your peers expect of you, the kind of leadership that enhances their motivation, morale and performance to achieve positive social change and promote human dignity through improved quality of life,” she added.

While the High Level Youth Exchange brought together more than 70 youth leaders from CARICOM and UNASUR, only four member Countries – Suriname, Ecuador, Chile and Guyana – were present from UNASUR.

Chile’s youth representative, Erika Coppo Rubio Ximena said their presence at the meeting was an indication of their commitment to promoting integration of both regions. She called upon CARICOM Youth Ambassadors to join forces with UNASUR in addressing human rights and human development issues. His CARICOM counterpart, Raynell Fraser, Suriname’s CARICOM Youth Ambassador weighed in and expressed hope that the meeting would spawn “more than just a Declaration,’ but greater commitment to collaboration and unity in both regions.

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