Caribbean youth ambassadors participate in leadership programme

Seven youth ambassadors from the eastern Caribbean are in the United States for the 2017 Youth Ambassadors Programme, part of the Caribbean exchange programme.

Reon King of Antigua and Barbuda, Adero Daniel (Barbados), Nakiya Toussaint (Dominica), Gary Telesford (Grenada), Nathan Francis (St Lucia), Jahnika Francis (St Kitts and Nevis), and Kevie Frederick (St Vincent and the Grenadines) will be in the States for three weeks.

They are accompanied by their mentor Reiba-Marie Baltimore, as well as participants from The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The programme began yesterday in Vermont, and will finish on 28 August in Washington DC.

The goal of the youth ambassadors programme is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States, South America and the Caribbean

Participants are also helped prepare to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities while fostering relationships with young people from different ethnic, religious, and national groups.

During their exchange, participants will focus on the themes of civic education, leadership and community service.

Students will create social action plans at the end of their community programme that each will implement in his/her own country.

Nakiya Toussaint from Dominica said: “I am very elated and honoured that I was selected to represent my country through this programme.”

St Lucia’s Nathan Francis echoed similar sentiments.

“Being selected as the youth ambassador for my country is not only an honour, but a dream come true,” he said.

Since 2007, World Learning has implemented the Youth Ambassadors Program. World Learning is an American non-profit organisation advancing leadership in more than 60 countries.

Its mission is to empower people and strengthen institutions through education, sustainable development, and exchange programs.