Barbadian youth must move beyond recognising their potential and take decisive action to shape a sustainable future, especially in an increasingly uncertain world.
That was the challenge thrown out by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Shantal Munro-Knight, and UN Women Representative Isiuwa Iyahen, as they addressed students gathered at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Youth Summit on Monday.
Speaking to students from across the island, Munro-Knight highlighted pressing concerns such as climate change, economic inequality, and limited access to resources, urging young people to confront these challenges head-on.
“Is anybody experiencing real heat that they’ve never experienced before here in Barbados?” she asked, as students responded with agreement.
“That’s climate change. And in parts of the world now, people are experiencing extreme cold. Our world is being defined very much by what happens within our climate.”
While climate change is a key issue, she stressed that the SDGs go beyond environmental concerns and also focus on poverty, inequality, clean water, and education—all of which impact young people’s futures.
“We have to be able to translate the potential of you and of us into action because your future is going to be very much dependent on the extent to which we can translate the SDGs into action,” Munro-Knight urged.
The minister pointed out that young people today face new and complex challenges, from stricter immigration policies and unequal access to technology to disparities in wealth and resources. She called on students to be aware of these global shifts and to be proactive in addressing them.
“The world is full of contradictions, but as we empower you for this sustainable future, you must step forward boldly,” she said.
Iyahen, Deputy Representative and Head of Office (ad interim) for UN Women’s Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, echoed the call to action, urging young Barbadians to rethink their role on the global stage.
“Senator [Munro] mentioned that you are living in a small island developing state, and I completely agree with that. But these small island developing states are significant island developing states,” she said.
She reminded students that the 17 SDGs, adopted by 193 countries, are aimed at improving quality of life through commitments to prosperity, peace, and partnership.
Iyahen also highlighted education (SDG 4) as one of Barbados’ greatest strengths, noting that free education up to university level is a major advantage that many countries do not offer.
“Education is a high priority for Barbados, and it’s taken for granted, I think, by many Barbadians,” she observed. “You have free education all the way up to university. That is not ignored in many countries around the world.”
Encouraging students to see themselves as active participants in shaping solutions, she left them with a powerful message: “Dream big. Act boldly. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow. You are the change-makers of today. The world is watching. The region, our significant island developing states, they are all watching.”
(SM)
The post Youth encouraged to take lead on sustainable development goals appeared first on Barbados Today.
