MINISTER HERALDS YOUTH PARTICIPATION AT THE SIDS4 CONFERENCE AS A MARKER OF POSITIVE MOVEMENT IN THE FEDERATION’S SUSTAINABLE ISLAND STATE TRANSITION

St. John’s, Antigua, 29 May 2024

The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke commends Mr. Tchaikouski York for his work at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).

“At SIDS4 we wanted to ensure that the youth were given a seat directly at the table so that their voices and experiences could be shared and amplified. I am so proud of Mr. Tchaikouski York, our Youth Representative from the Department of Youth Empowerment (and a past Geography student of mine), who showed up and out in his engagements at the SIDS Global Children and Youth Action Summit and of course, through his presentation from the youth perspective at our national side-event on Climate Health”, says the Minister.

Dr. Clarke further stated that “it is easy for Ministers to attend Conferences like these and get swept away in the technical details. I am reminded that the real work always lies in the direct human impact, especially where the health of our youth and future generations is concerned”.  

Mr. York’s presentation called for “bold and decisive action” to create a sustainable and secure future.  He highlighted the effects of the climate crisis on the health and quality of life of the Federation’s youth, indicating that it is “incumbent upon young people to be responsible stewards of the planet”, asking that his fellow youth “heed the call to mitigate climate change and safeguard the future through environmental conservation and social equity”.  Tchaikouski praised the current strides of local youth organizations and grassroots groups to impact policies and make waves in their own respective spaces and the wider society. 

The climate crisis is not just a “now” issue, its effects will reverberate for years to come.  Minister Clarke emphasizes that “this is why youth empowerment and representation are critical components in our Sustainable Island State vision to ensure that the nation fulfills its obligation to protect some of its most precious assets – the children and youth”.

“Ministers cannot do it alone; we need all hands on deck and all voices, like Mr. York’s, sounding in one accord”, the Minister urged.

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