Minister Kiz Johnson Urges Nation to Stop Writing Off Young People as Youth Week Opens

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, Hon. Kiz Johnson, has challenged Antigua and Barbuda to change the way it speaks about and responds to young people, warning against narratives that portray the nation’s youth as lost, doomed or unlikely to succeed.

Minister Johnson issued the call on Sunday as National Youth Week 2026 officially opened with a Service of Praise and Worship at the Salvation Army’s Central Citadel Corps.

Speaking under this year’s theme, “Building Intentionally: Youth in Motion,” the Minister of State said meaningful youth development cannot be left to chance, but must be driven by deliberate planning, investment and a clear sense of purpose.

“Youth in Motion reminds us that our young people are not standing still,” Johnson said. “They are moving forward, innovating and shaping the future of our nation.”

She used the occasion to push back against negative stereotypes surrounding young people, calling on adults and institutions to recognise their potential rather than constantly comparing them to previous generations.

“Let us stop belittling our young people, doing the comparisons, saying that they are lost, they are doomed and they won’t amount to anything,” Minister Johnson remarked.

Her message was accompanied by a call for greater investment in opportunities that allow young people to develop their skills, pursue entrepreneurship and participate meaningfully in national development.

She argued that responsibility for empowering youth does not rest with government alone, but must involve families, schools, churches, businesses and other sections of society.

“We must invest in education that prepares our youth for the future. We must support entrepreneurship that creates jobs and opportunities. We must nurture creativity, innovation and wellness. And above all, we must listen, truly listen to the voices of our young people,” she said.

The Minister of State also pledged that policies, programmes and partnerships falling under her portfolio will continue to place intentional youth development at the forefront.

Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, meanwhile, took aim at another longstanding perception, that young people are increasingly self-centred, unfocused or unwilling to contribute.

“This blanket narrative is flawed, and it has shackled generations, stunted their developments,” Samuel said.

She called on employers, institutions and other sectors of society to give young people genuine opportunities, particularly access to decent work that allows them to develop professionally and become economically independent.

National Youth Ambassador Christal Percival delivered a message directly to her peers, reminding them that they do not need to have every aspect of their future planned before taking the first step.

“You do not have to have your entire life figured out to start moving in the right direction,” Percival said. 

She also encouraged young people not to allow age, titles or their present circumstances to determine what they believe they can accomplish.

“Your age does not disqualify you from making an impact. And your current circumstances do not determine the limits of your future,” she said.

Sunday’s opening service was attended by Governor General His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Senators Shaquan O’Neil and Tiffany Strand-Peters, Permanent Secretary Rosa Greenaway, Acting Permanent Secretary Almira Henry, National Youth Ambassadors and other officials. 

National Youth Week runs through August 14, with a series of activities involving the Department of Youth Affairs, partner divisions and youth-focused organisations.

The week is intended to move beyond simply celebrating young people by placing greater focus on purpose, opportunity, participation and the role youth can play in shaping Antigua and Barbuda’s future.