The Community Services Planning Unit has hosted its first Youth Voices Forum, providing a platform for young people to help shape the island’s future.
The landmark event, held under the theme ‘Local youth actions for the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond’, took place on 13 August in celebration of International Youth Day.
It forms part of Anguilla’s national strategy to tackle youth crime and violence using a public health approach, a press release from the unit said on 15 August.
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The two hour long forum, which featured 25 participants aged between 17 and 34 from various walks of life, was held at Good Korma on The Strip.
Participants contributed their insights to strengthen the unit’s proposed ‘National Peace Building Framework’ built on the four pillars of prevention, intervention, interruption and reintegration.
Discussions also explored the intersection of education, employment, youth aspirations, mental health and family support in reducing crime and building safer communities.
The Youth Voices Forum reinforced the Government of Anguilla’s commitment to youth empowerment and the global call to action through the Sustainable Development Goals.
The set of 17 global goals were adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The forum was held in collaboration with the Anguilla National Youth Council, the Anguilla National Youth Ambassador Corps, the Anguilla Youth Parliament, StreetDoctors Anguilla, and the Department of Youth and Culture.
The Community Services Planning Unit thanked the youth participants and all collaborative partners whose contributions made the inaugural forum a “resounding success”.
The unit aims to make the Youth Voices Forum an annual event to commemorate International Youth Day.
