OECS Chairman says young people should be included in the decision-making process

By Aabigayle McIntosh

The Incoming Chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is warning that the grouping may face a mass exodus of young people if more is not done to include them in all aspects of development.

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrence Drew spoke to the issue during the opening ceremony of the 73rd meeting of the OECS Authority which ended on Monday in the capital Basseterre.

He said young people should be involved and feel that they do belong and such opportunities must be created.

“They need to feel that our countries have something to offer them that they will be allowed to contribute to their societies and receive livable wages and income and are being trained with the skills to be able to flourish at the national level and to compete at the international level.

“The new global digital economy is the market space that our young people will work in and use to expand our region’s economic border, they must therefore be equipped to do so,” Dr. Drew said.

He explained that Sports, Digital economies, Health, and Education are areas ripe for investments and involvement.

He warned, “We risk an unprecedented brain drain at the time we most need the creativity and energy of our young people”.

The Kittian Prime Minister stated further that the youths within the region will be a major priority during his tenure along with health violence as a public health issue, security, energy, and the environment.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is among the OECS head who attend the meeting.