St Kitts and Nevis appoints two New Caricom Youth Ambassadors

FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS Jalen Monzac and Iana Franks will serve as St. Kitts and Nevis new CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs). The duo were revealed at a public induction ceremony at the Department of Youth Empowerment.

As the new envoys under the CARICOM provisions, Heads of Governments mandate representatives advocate for, and educate young people about regional priorities such as HIV/AIDS and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Director of Youth Empowerment, Pierre Liburd, who himself served as a CYA in the early 2000s, stressed that opportunities presented to youths via this programme are immeasurable and beneficial.
“Once you apply yourself and remain focused on the objectives which are to truly, honestly, represent young people – their dreams, aspirations, views and positions and you articulate that through the decision-making processes that you will be exposed to at the national, regional, and often international level you will do yourself, the young people and the nation proud,” Liburd noted.

Junior Minister responsible for Youth Development, Isalean Phillip, lauded the new appointees, assuring them the staff at the Department of Youth Empowerment are extremely excited to work with them.
“I hope that you both have that fire and that spark and are ready to really take the ideas that you have as young leaders and be able to impact your communities,” minister Philip said.
Phillip, a Senator and Junior Minister told them she previously served as a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and established valuable networks that still exist today.
“I want to encourage you and look forward to your leading engagements because we are here to do work. The future is bright, and I have every confidence in both of you based on my own interactions,” the government official said.


Until their stewardship ends in 2024, Monzac and Franks will be supported by a corps of ambassadors comprising 11 youths.