Saint Lucia is dedicated to nurturing the talents of its youth and guiding them toward meaningful career paths.
In light of this commitment, Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports, and Digital Transformation, Kenson Casimir, has urged for immediate action to ensure the effective implementation of the National Youth Policy and Action Plan 2025-2030. He emphasized that it is time to move beyond planning and focus on achieving concrete results for the nation’s young people.
During the inaugural meeting of the Inter-agency Youth Development Coordinating Committee on September 29 at the Bel Jou Hotel, La Pansee, Minister Casimir acknowledged the significant effort and financial resources invested in crafting the policy over the years.
The meeting gathered representatives from various government ministries and agencies, as well as officials from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, the National Youth Council, and other vital stakeholders. It marked the official commencement of the committee’s work in supporting the coordinated implementation of the National Youth Policy and Action Plan.
“For years, many have worked tirelessly on this initiative. As the Minister responsible for Youth Development and Sports, we have invested thousands of dollars into this document,” Casimir stated.
Discussions focused on enhancing interagency collaboration, establishing effective coordination mechanisms, and creating frameworks for monitoring and evaluation, all intended to ensure successful delivery of the programs outlined in the policy.
Minister Casimir emphasized that the true success of the policy will be determined by its real-world impact on young people’s lives. “My role is to transition from mere documentation to concrete implementation. The initiatives were crafted by young people for young people,” he stated.
He asserted that the next phase must prioritize action. “Our ambition is to execute, execute, execute. Without execution, the challenges we face in our communities will persist, and we will look back wishing we had made a difference.”
The Minister conveyed a strong message of accountability to those involved in advancing the policy, warning that failure to contribute to its success may lead to consequences, as “this Government is serious about change… and changes will be made.”
Casimir reiterated the urgency of implementing youth policy initiatives designed to improve lives and create opportunities. “The time to act is now. We cannot afford to wait for tomorrow, next year, or the next election. If we delay, we will regret our inaction.”
He reminded ministry personnel of their critical role in achieving the policy’s goals. “We are being closely watched. Those who have labored diligently must continue to do their part. If we are not all onboard, change will come to the Ministry,” he cautioned.
The Interagency Youth Development Coordinating Committee is expected to play a crucial role in uniting stakeholders and ensuring the successful execution, monitoring, and evaluation of programs under the National Youth Policy and Action Plan 2025-2030, aiming to create greater opportunities and positive outcomes for Saint Lucia’s youth.