Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Chairman of the Conference, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit

His Excellency, Drs. Runaldo Venetiaan, President of Suriname and Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Youth, Culture Sport and Gender Development

His Excellency, Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of CARICOM, Mr.

Ministers responsible for Youth Affairs and other related ministries

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, NYC Reps

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Other officials and invited guests

Members of the Media

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Afternoon

Permit me, on behalf of the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) to express our profound gratitude to the Heads of Government participating in the Summit and especially to President Venetiaan who has been unswerving in his commitment to the process leading up to this Summit. It is no accident that the Government of Suriname has put in place such excellent arrangements, for, in addition to the natural hospitality, warmth, and charm of the Surinamese people, no stone was left unturned in ensuring success.

On this occasion, I wish to recognise in a special way our colleagues from Haiti who have survived the earthquake and made it here with us on such a memorable occasion. Our prayers join yours for your loved ones and country.

Often, if not every time Heads of Government of the region address us the youth, they emphasise the importance of our contribution to nation building since we constitute 60% of the population. They reiterate our influence and power as young people in the region. They remind us of their commitment to youth development and they pledge to continue working with us not only for national and regional development but for our personal development. They remind us of how committed they are to working with young people and of their willingness to listen to our concerns and problems.

This Summit recommended by our Heads and which focuses specifically on Youth Development is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that commitment, and especially so, in a year the UN has designated as “International Year of the Youth.” However, in spite of all the preparations and arrangements made for this memorable occasion, history will record that only four of nineteen Heads of Government, including the host are present here today.

How do they expect us here and the other million young people in the Caribbean to feel about their absence from this landmark Summit, which provides the opportunity to sit with us, the region’s youth, to listen to our issues and together find practical solutions to our problems? What message are they sending or what statement are they making to the young people?

Indeed, this symbolic moment which we have dreamed about has been lost in a cruel situational irony: those who have given us a task to do, cannot now find the time to lend us their presence and hear how we have carried our mandate.

We are shaken but not destroyed for all hope is not last, simply because our ministers are here, and for a few of us, our Heads are present.

Yesterday, our Ministers of Youth engaged us at the Special meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) in frank discussions, and provided that hope that at least our causes would be championed throughout the region.

However, this opportunity missed by so many Heads of Government to engage youth in such a historic manner could very well end up costing the region the goodwill of young people as many more may feel alienated. History has a strange way of judging. Again, I commend the efforts of the Heads here today.

I wish to applaud the CARICOM Commission for Youth Development for delivering on its mandate, and in particular, the Co-chairs, Prof. Barry Chevannes and Ms. Yldiz Beighle and special commendation for the youth Co-chair Ms. Yldiz Beighle, who is one of the telling examples of what youth have and can accomplish.

The Commission comprises a blend of today’s and yesterday’s youth. This demonstrates the kind of partnership that young people look forward to with policy-makers and decision-makers in advancing the Youth Development Agenda.

I cannot express how timely and appropriate the theme for the Summit is – YOUTH NOW for Tomorrow’s Community. It is definitely a strong and clear message from the young people across the region that the old paradigm of “youth are leaders of tomorrow” should, and must give way to a new kind of thinking:

• We are leaders now; our training starts now

• We want to be seen as valuable, creative resource in the community NOW – not as conundrum to be solved.

• We want to participate NOW. We have demonstrated repeatedly that we can contribute NOW. If the future of the Community rests squarely on our shoulders as the mandate of the Heads of Government has implied, then our dress rehearsal begins NOW.

Former CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Mr. Jermaine Wade, Parliamentary Secretary, Youth Affairs, Community Service and Sports, Montserrat and Mr. Kelva Darroux former president of the National Youth Council of Dominica, now an elected minister of the Dominican government, are prime examples of youth excelling in Government and Politics.

We want to be the centre of the action: in decision making, policy formulation and implementation and especially those which affect our well-being and development.

Consider whether those decisions you have taken about us, but without us, have worked. Consider whether those millions of dollars spent on youth interventions have resulted in the intended benefits. Consider if they might not have been as effective because you failed to involve us… Leaders, I would encourage us to examine best practice from around the region with regard to these issues. For example, we are here in Suriname which has a model of democratic youth governance and participation which is well worthy of attention and perhaps emulation.

We want you to invest in us, not in the paternalistic kind of way, but as equal partners in the business of nation-building and regional development. If the Caribbean has to continue to struggle to become a formidable force to be reckoned within the global environment, then we do not want to struggle on the periphery; we want to be identified closely with that struggle as equal partners.

The reality is: there can be no regional development without youth development. We guarantee you that with appropriate involvement and partnership with us, the region will be able to reap returns on its investment some of which I include:

• Reductions in risky behaviours which are now costing millions-drug abuse, HIV and AIDS. Reduction in crime and violence, and ignorance of the law

• Increase in productive labour force

• Higher rates of employability through entrepreneurship and cultural industries.

• A secure foundation for the future of integration movement.

So the message is loud and clear: empower us now for the future of the Community.

I would also like to use this opportunity to charge my peers across the region to rise and rebuild, to use your God-given creative talent to make our region and world a better place. I challenge you my peers not to be daunted by broken promises, obstacles and perceptions, indifference and structures which may attempt to exclude you from the decision making process. Do not allow yourselves to be manipulated into actions which violate the social structures and norms of the Community in which you live and function and of critical importance; do not allow drugs or any other obsessions or addictions to control you.

You leaders, I challenge you to demand the respect that we deserve in all sections and at all levels in our society. But first you have to earn that respect by being exemplary in your leadership and finally I charge you to be responsible and accountable for your every action.

In closing I leave you with the words of Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General:

 “No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that is cut off from its youth severs its lifeline.”

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org