A CARICOM draft report providing an analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing Caribbean youth, derived from a sampling of 6,000 young people in 13 countries was presented recently, the St. Kitts and Nevis Democrat reported on Nov. 23. The report demonstrates the Caribbean needs to place youth development at the core of national priorities, if not national survival.

Unlike Europe and other larger country territories, where young people comprise 30 percent of the population, in the Caribbean, young people make up 60 percent of residents in the region. Findings from the study show the majority of adolescents and youth have never heard of the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME), while in each member and associate state, some have never heard of CARICOM. Few can identify concrete opportunities, benefits or implementation mechanisms.

The CSME is widely perceived to discriminate against the average man or woman, unskilled workers and countries with few higher education opportunities and institutions. In addition, young people perceive national and public information and marketing messages to be vague, excessively technical and largely ineffective. Eighty-five per cent of Caribbean nationals aged 15 to 29 would leave their countries if they had the opportunity. The basis of this trend is changing, primarily as young people desire to leave for larger countries due to crime and violence.

“Caribbean youth dream of being the best that they can be and their dreams and aspirations are influenced by stories told by family, friends and the communications media as well as their own knowledge and perceptions of the opportunities, rights and privileges available to young people in developed countries,” the report said “Others, in particular older youths, are afraid to dream because of the pain and frustration that comes from their social and economic reality and the acceptance of the fact that their dreams cannot be realized.”

The report said the Caribbean has the highest homicide rate in the world. Young people are perceived to believe they have restricted access to education due to poverty, as well as dangerously high levels of anger, hostility, depression, alienation and hopelessness, in particular among 15- to 29-year-olds. In addition, the report found parental and family neglect, crime and violence, sexual promiscuity, stigmatization, poverty and victimization more common than previously believed.

For those who desire to remain in the Caribbean, “The pull of external cultures impact on the ‘Caribbean-ness’ or diminishes the “Caribbean-ness,” the report said. The report warned Caribbean identity and youth identifying as such are in jeopardy.

“While not surprised by young people’s seeming lack of concern for physical health, the commission was struck by an apparent decline in mental health indicators from a 2000 PAHO study which found sixteen percent or one in six adolescents and youth to be sad, irritable or angry,” said Dr. Edward Greene, CARICOM assistant secretary general of human & social development. “This is the number one concern among adolescents and youth in the Caribbean Community, associated with poverty, unemployment, politics and social inequities.”

Related Top Stories

Bermuda Concludes Negotiations of a Tax Information Agreement with Belgium