Young people urged to lead now, not wait for titles

Young Barbadians should be judged by their actions rather than their titles, youth minister Senator Shane Archer told a gathering to mark International Youth Day at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, as he urged them to seize leadership opportunities now instead of waiting for formal recognition.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Youth and Culture Shane Archer (Photo credit: Jenique Belgrave / Barbados TODAY)

He urged young people to take responsibility for their future while highlighting public programmes aimed at expanding opportunities in education, training, entrepreneurship and leadership.

“Every young person who chooses enterprise over excuses, work over violence and purpose over pressure is helping to build a Barbados we all deserve,” he said, adding that leadership was not dependent on holding a formal position.

“Young people should not have to wait until they hold a title before their ideas are taken seriously. You deserve a seat at the table.”

He challenged the traditional description of young people as “the leaders of tomorrow”, warning that it could leave them waiting too long for their opportunity.

“You are told to wait until you finish school, wait until you get a degree or earn a title before somebody decides that you know already. I do not want you to spend your youth waiting for permission to matter.”

The minister said young people could demonstrate leadership through everyday actions, including standing up against bullying, organising their peers and using social media to encourage rather than embarrass others.

Senator Archer also pointed to differences in the circumstances facing this group and said youth policy must consider these.

“Fairness does not mean pretending that everybody begins at the same starting line,” he said. “If one runner starts 20 metres behind, you cannot call that a fair race simply because the finish line is the same.”

“Serious youth policy must see where each young person begins and help to close the distance,” he added.

Barbados Youth ADVANCE Corps conducted a drill demonstration (Photo credit: Jenique Belgrave / Barbados TODAY)

The youth minister highlighted the work being done in the Barbados Youth Advance Corps in instilling discipline and work experience, Project Dawn in training communities directly, Project Protégé in providing young people with a trusted adult to offer guidance and support and the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, in providing training, mentorship and financial assistance to help young Barbadians turn ideas into businesses.

He highlighted the summer camp programme as another part of government’s youth development agenda, reaching thousands of campers through activities in STEM, enterprise, financial literacy, agriculture, culture, online safety, emotional regulation and sport.

Deputy Representative of UNICEF Shohrat Orazov took the time to look at this exhibit of craft created by campers (Photo credit: Jenique Belgrave / Barbados TODAY)

Looking ahead, Senator Archer said the government was advancing a new national youth policy designed around the world young people are entering, rather than the one their parents entered.

The Robotics Exhibit was a hit for many in attendance (Photo credit: Jenique Belgrave / Barbados TODAY)

He pointed to artificial intelligence and emerging industries as areas requiring greater attention, saying the policy vision would encompass AI literacy, coding, robotics, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, climate leadership and agri-tech.

The minister also identified music, film, animation, gaming, fashion, podcasts, digital content and e-sports as areas where creativity could become economic activity.

“We in government have a real responsibility to open doors, build pathways and make sure opportunity is not reserved for a chosen few,” Senator Archer said, while stressing that young people also had a responsibility to prepare themselves.

“Your responsibility is to be ready when those doors open,” he said. “A mentor cannot practise for you, a grant cannot manage your money, a stage cannot perform for you, a policy cannot believe in your ability more than you believe in yourself.”

Senator Archer urged the young people to “stay curious, ask for help, take opportunity” and “do the work even when nobody was watching”.

In addition, he said success should also be measured by what young people give back.

“If you build a business, create work for somebody else, if you gain knowledge, share it,” he said. “If someone simply helps you, come back and help the next young person.”

The event, hosted by the Division of Youth Affairs, showcased the talents of young people across 51 summer camps and featured presentations of drumming, dance, cheer, digital and robotic exhibits. It was held in collaboration with UNICEF and the National Transformation Initiative.

The minister extended thanks to the Barbados Youth Development Council for securing discounts for young people across several businesses and corporate Barbados for stepping forward to support the initiative.

“But let’s build on it,” the senator added. “My hope is that we can strengthen the relationship between the Youth section and corporate Barbados so that opportunities like this aren’t limited to just one day, but become part of how we support and empower our young people all year round.”

(JB)