Empowering Youth of the Eastern Caribbean

Youth shape the future of a nation by replacing the previous generation in key political, social and cultural roles. History has demonstrated the power of youth to revolutionise values and ideas leading to new societal constructs. The United Nations (UN) 1965 Declaration on the Promotion Among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding Between Peoples, recognise youth as having a significant contribution to make to the advancement of society as a whole.

Hence, the OECS, through the OECS Human and Social Development Unit, has committed to empowering the youth of the Eastern Caribbean and ensuring that the youth of the region are given the opportunity to engage in a national dialogue to shape the future they will inherit.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States's pressreleases

Art meets Sustainable Energy: OECS Commission Celebrates Young Artist Winners of the Watt's Art Sustainable Energy Art Contest

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States's pressreleases

OECS Invitational Boxing Championships 2024 Concludes Successfully

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States's pressreleases

2024 OECS Invitational Boxing Championships Launched

UNICEF and OECS Strengthen Partnership to Improve Lives of Children in Eastern Caribbean

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States's pressreleases

OECS successfully concludes Inaugural Council of Ministers: Youth and Sports

Youth Innitiative in the Eastern Caribbean

Over the years, the OECS, through its Agriculture Unit, has been supporting or leading multiple programmes designed to respond to the challenges and opportunities of Youth in the Eastern Caribbean. The following programmes have been implemented or are currently being implemented by the OECS Commission Include:

1 - Opportunities to Advance and Support Youth for Success (OASYS)

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Opportunities to Advance and Support Youth for Success (OASYS) is a comprehensive approach to youth justice reform which focus on prevention, diversion, rehabilitation and reintegration with youth in conflict with the law. The project will be implemented over a 4-year period and will benefit youth from the ages of 10 - 29. This project is being implemented by the OECS Commission and is part of a wider USAID Caribbean Basin Secuirty Initiative (CBSI)

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2 - U Report

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U-Report OECS is a digital platform designed to engage young people in program priorities, advocacy actions and emergency responses. It supports adolescent, youth, and community participation; and works as a tool to share information, raise awareness, and collect quantifiable data on specific areas that impact youth and the most vulnerable. The information is then utilised by various stakeholders to inform their respective policies and programs as they seek to create relevant youth-focused initiatives. The platform is owned and supported by UNICEF, and managed by the OECS Commission across nine (9) OECS Member States. Registration is voluntary, and the service incurs no cost for U-Reporters. It does however rely on your active engagement to speak out on issues and create change, because Your Voice Matters!

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3 - OECS YES

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The OECS Commission, through the Human and Social Development Unit, has been working with the Member States and donor agencies to ensure that youth are given the opportunity to engage in a national dialogue to shape the future they will inherit. One way this is being achieved is through the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy (OECS YES) which engages youth predominately in the digital space.

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Resources

Access more resources on Youth Empowerment in the Eastern Caribbean via the OECS Library.

Partners

The OECS has been partnering for multiple years with international agencies supporting the strategic priorities defined above to Empower Youth in the Eastern Caribbean.

Learn more about USAID

Learn more about UNICEF

Contacts

Aretha Darcheville
Project Manager Social Inclusion and Social Protection
Tel: +1 (758) 453-0669

Tracy St. Claire
Programme Assistant Social Inclusion and Social Protection
Tel: +1 (758) 455-6300

Shahini Gravillis
Technical Specialist (OASYS)
Tel: +1 (758) 455-6330

Sharon Jacob
Senior Administrative Assistant
Tel: +1 (758) 455-6727

Learn more on Youth Innitiaves in the Eastern Caribbean

The OECS is working in close collaboration with all the Ministries of its Member States on all matters related to Youth in the Eastern Caribbean as well as the Youth Advisory Network consisting of Young Persons form the Various OECS Member States.