National Youth Ambassador Statement on Crime

I am Janet Simon, a National Youth Ambassador here in Antigua and Barbuda. In addition to this post, I have been a trained Primary Educator in the Public system for almost 8 years to date and recently have been appointed as Antigua and Barbuda’s country representative for the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, an organization linked to the Commonwealth Secretariat, geared towards uniting Commonwealth countries for the purpose of attaining peace in various areas across the diaspora.

My platform as ambassador has been geared mainly towards education and imparting integral life skills to our youth here in Antigua and Barbuda as I believe that these skills form the foundation by which you our young people become young, active, productive citizens in society.

My purpose here today is two-fold as a youth leader.

The rise in crime and violence involving and affecting our young people and by extension the citizens of our small island has been absolutely devastating. Very often we repeat the age-old adage ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ however, over the years the breakdown of the ‘village’ has been evident.

Parents, the church, the school and community we as stakeholders in the development of our youth must more proactive. Our youth were never meant to parent themselves.

Yes, the advent of technology, we been overwhelming. Change is imminent however they type of change and its frequency are most important. We are the one who can teach responsible use and regulate access.

We must also work in unison to help our young people rather than ridiculing them. Many of them become secretive, aligning with persons who negatively affect their decision making when they feel unheard, uncared for and unappreciated.

Our young people need love. Yes, many caretakers are busy with jobs to provide for their children. The breakdown of the familial unit is evident. Many of our children are not in stable homes, are out on the streets into early morning hours, are unaccounted for during and after school hours, do not have access to necessities such as food, clothing and school supplies and have taken their upbringing into their own hands.

These conditions are disheartening but we also must commend those who make the conservative effort to ensure that their children are safe. Let us work towards seeking help, providing help and accepting help provided with discernment of purpose. Our young people need stability and a strong foundation to thrive.

To my fellow youth, you have heard countless times that you are the future and rightfully so, you are. I know it may be difficult to believe this through the issues you face. Furthermore, technology and society present you with a myriad of information where without integral skills and guidance you are challenged as to how to discern between right and wrong.

These resources can be used for good. As you return to school many of you will face innumerable challenges. I would like you to introspect and ask yourself who you would like to become in life. Its okay if you don’t have the exact answers but what matters most is realizing that you would love for your life to be used as good.

This notion will form your ‘moral compass’. Endeavor to be e a light to those around you. As young songstress G’Eve says ‘It takes one man to change the world’. In your respective circles, if each of you aim to be that ‘one man’, imagine the positive change that can ruminate and spread across our twin island nation.

As we move forward into the remaining months of the year, let us keep in mind the importance of working cohesively as a society to help our youth and achieve peace in this our country of Antigua and Barbuda.

Backing songs – Ras Shorty I – Watch out my children or G’Eve – One man to change the world