Youth leader warns youth groups in decline

ctive youth organisations in Barbados are rapidly declining, posing a significant threat to community development and national progress, the president of the Barbados Youth Development Council has warned.

 

Caleb Brathwaite called for urgent action from both the government and citizens to revitalise these crucial groups and support young people in the face of rising challenges.

 

He insisted that urgent action was needed on the part of not only government to revive youth organisations but appealed to citizens to return to giving back to their communities to help young people stay on the right track.

 

“Youth organisations have served as the bedrock of modern Barbados and have built many unshakeable foundations. However, active youth organisations are dwindling, which significantly impacts the ever-present need for community youth development as well as on a national scale,” he told Barbados TODAY.

 

“Therefore, as a society, we must rekindle certain aspects of our past to secure our future. We must rekindle populating youth organisations, we must rekindle supporting youth organisations financially and technically, we must rekindle becoming active citizens once again, and we must rekindle the mindset that it takes a village to raise a child, among other things.”

 

Brathwaite reflected that in 2024 too many young lives were lost to violence and was adamant this must not happen this year.

 

“I know it [violence]. I feel it, as it has affected me personally. I take this time to mourn the departed and call for an all-society approach to wrestle the violence to the ground,” he said, while expressing support for moves by the Minister of State in the Attorney General’s Office with responsibility for Crime Prevention, Corey Lane, to tackle youth crime using data to develop effective strategies and programmes.

 

Brathwaite, who has been leading the BYDC for close to three years, said the council is ready to get to work over the next 12 months by tackling the issues affecting young people head-on.

 

He said: “Our ears are on the ground, and we have heard the various cries of young people external to our membership, looking at the cost of living and the various other challenges that affected them. We are on the job to make sure that sustainable solutions can be put towards these challenges so that there can be prosperity for our young people.”

 

Brathwaite also said he wanted to see more positive stories highlighting the achievements of the nation’s youth, which he suggested are often overshadowed by negative incidents: “We have seen Jesse Olton, at just 11 years old, have a successful business. Our under-14 boys won the regional football title. Our squash team of young people won the regional title, and a plethora of young people made a positive impact in 2024. Therefore, we must highlight these young people’s positive contribution to society, which should serve as fuel for inspiring a new generation.”

 

Brathwaite said the BYDC will redouble its efforts this year to ensure young people can continue to thrive and appealed for more financial and technical support to ensure that Barbadian youth can reach the global stage.

 

He disclosed that the council certified 54 young people in youth leadership and will be looking to double that number this year.

 

He added: “I encourage all of Barbados to partner with us, share your ideas, participate in our programmes, support us financially and technically, and let us work towards building a brighter and united future for our young people. Let us continue to grow, innovate, and celebrate the vibrant youth community we have here in Barbados.”