President champions youth innovation at Small Island Future Festival

President Dame Sandra Mason called attention to the vital role of youth-led innovation and sustainability, as she officially opened the Small Island Future Festival (SIFF) on Friday.

The event, dedicated to empowering young people and promoting sustainable solutions, saw the Head of State cutting the ceremonial ribbon and touring a series of pioneering booths at the festival.

President Mason began her tour at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lab booth accompanied by Limya Eltayeb, the UNDP’s representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Minister of Labour Colin Jordan, Ministry of Environment Deputy Permanent Secretary Steve Devonish, and Dr David Bynoe, the national coordinator of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP). Also present were Veronica Millington of the UNDP Lab for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dionne Carrington from the UNDP GEF Biodiversity project, and Yajaira Archibald, UNDP communications analyst.

Deandra Crawford, an innovator and circular living pilot, described her journey cultivating rice, barley, and crawfish, explaining the origins of her business and showcasing her work.

The delegation then visited Apiroyale’s booth, led by CEO Beviny Payne, whose enterprise combines beekeeping with the production of honey-based products. Supported by Dwayne Godard of the Organic Growers and Consumers Association, the booth drew keen interest from students of St Alban’s Primary School, who gathered around the display, asked questions, and received tips on handling bee stings.

Disability rights activist and former President of the Senate Kerryann Ifill sampled Apiroyale’s honey and engaged with the team, demonstrating support for Barbadian-made, sustainable products.

At the Future Farmers booth, Dame Sandra and her party admired the range of plants available for purchase and spoke with Keriah Scantlebury, who highlighted the company’s role in promoting local agriculture.

The festival was hosted by head of the Ashley Lashley Foundation, Ashley Lashley, who led a dynamic programme of music, dance, and motivational speeches aimed at inspiring students to be bold, creative, and forward-thinking. The event sought to ignite interest in the green, blue and orange economies, encouraging young people to discover their passions and take action.

United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett, delivered a stirring call to action, urging young people to engage with sustainable development.

“This is your moment to rise,” he said, encouraging youth to reimagine what’s possible for their islands. While the path forward requires leadership from the public sector, he stressed that the ideas and energy of young people are just as vital.

“The Caribbean may be made up of small islands, but it holds a big future—one powered by the creativity and commitment of its youth,” he reminded them. (LE)