Revision of VI’s decade old National Youth Policy initiated – Hon deCastro
Through the support of UNESCO who has assigned a consultant to assist with the revision process, Hon de Castro said it is imperative that the Government reassess the effectiveness of the Youth Policy in meeting the evolving needs of youth and in the territory as a whole.
“In crafting a new youth policy, we must ensure that the voices of our young people are heard loud and clear. We must remember that the youth are not merely beneficiaries of our policies; they are active participants in shaping the future of our Virgin Islands.”
She said their involvement is not only desirable but essential if persons are to chart a course toward a prosperous and sustainable future. She added that by engaging youth in meaningful dialogue and decision-making processes, the government will not only empower youths to realize their full potential but also ensure the continued growth and development of our territory.
Workshop held
Meanwhile, the minister said that on the 26th and 27th of February 2024, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports hosted a two-day Youth Engagement Workshop in partnership with UNESCO to initiate the revision.
She said the workshop provided a platform for youth and youth practitioners to share their experiences, insights, and recommendations on effectively engaging young people in the policy-making processes.
The workshop according to the minister also encouraged youths to take an active role in shaping policies that directly affect their lives and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for implementing the Youth Policy.
She said on day one, the workshop focused on unpacking the concept of Meaningful Youth Engagement and its principles, preconditions, forms, benefits, and barriers, and then on day two, it focused on co-designing the proposed roadmap of the youth policy review which entailed milestones, national priorities, and the development of a timeline for the Youth Policy review.
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5 Responses to “Revision of VI’s decade old National Youth Policy initiated – Hon deCastro”
I do welcome, as a step in the right direction, the latest government policy announcement as regards children born here being eligible for a certificate of residency. But it's not exactly claiming them as "ours". That status has lots of strings attached to it, that can be pulled to take it away.
As Minister for Youth, please do consider the question: why are we so reluctant to claim the youth that is "ours" really? What's the point of running the territory if not to build a better future for "our" youth. Is it to run it for people who weren't even born here? Anyway, good luck with the policy. Please keep in mind the western world birth rate collapse in preparing your policy too. We need to be mindful that youth is going to be an increasingly precious commodity in the future; something that makes the reluctance to claim our "youth" harder to understand for me.