PRESS RELEASE

NEW YORK, May 3, 2026 – Antigua and Barbuda played a leading role at the Transforming Global Education Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The five-member delegation attending the summit was led by Director of Education, Mr. Clare Browne, and included Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, Director of Youth Affairs; Mr. Chevaughn Burton, Assistant to the Focal Point for Safe Schools in the Ministry of Education; Ms. Janet Simon, CARICOM Youth Ambassador; and Ms. Pia Nichols, President of the National Youth Volunteer Corps.

The Summit was held on 1st May and was convened by the PVBLIC Foundation in collaboration with the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Learning Economy Foundation.

Mr. Browne, who delivered opening remarks and participated in two panel discussions, underscored Antigua and Barbuda’s vision for education reform.

“Transformation does not begin with scale, it begins with coherence, discipline, and intentional design. In Antigua and Barbuda, digital transformation is not a standalone goal, but an enabler of education reform, workforce readiness, and national resilience.” Browne stated.

“Too often, global conversations focus on large-scale systems. But Small Island Developing States like Antigua and Barbuda are not peripheral, we are practical leaders,” he further added.

Dr. Samuel moderated the Antiguan panel, which addressed the summit’s theme: “Redefining Education Systems for the Future: Integrating Mental Health, Nutrition, and Holistic Youth Development as Global Priorities.”

She emphasized the critical nature of the dialogue, noting that the panel featured “three distinguished, youthful practitioners from Antigua and Barbuda—Burton, Simon, and Nichols—who represent the intersection of education, volunteerism, and safety.”

Burton highlighted how Small Island Developing States are ensuring school infrastructure supports quality education while meeting disaster resilience standards.

“Disaster risk reduction is increasingly being integrated into everyday school experiences, not treated as a one-off lesson. In line with SDG 4, we are equipping students with relevant life skills that prepare them for real-world challenges,” he said.

Simon, in the meantime, explored strategies for embedding mental health and nutrition into daily teaching without overburdening teachers.

“We are not asking teachers to carry more, but to embed health and wellbeing into the natural rhythm of schooling. Nutrition can be taught through practical activities—linking science lessons to healthy food choices, or using school gardens as living classrooms. Mental health can be supported through simple daily practices such as mindfulness breaks, peer support groups, and open classroom discussions that normalize emotional wellbeing,” she explained.

Nichols examined how volunteerism can evolve into a strategic tool for equity, addressing socio-economic disparities in education. She noted, “Government services often have a reach limit due to budget or staffing constraints. More volunteers inside and outside schools can help address the non-academic pillars of development, including mental health, nutrition, and social stability.”

The summit’s overarching theme, “Redefining Education as Global Infrastructure,” framed education as a cornerstone of resilience, equity, and sustainable development. Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation demonstrated how small states can lead with clarity, coherence, and disciplined innovation, offering a compelling blueprint for global transformation.

The Antigua and Barbuda Permanent Mission to the United Nations coordinated the visit of the delegation with lead support undertaken by First Secretary Claxton Duberry while Second Secretary Dr Jerri-Anne Jeremy accompanied the delegation during the meetings.