Youth in St. Kitts and Nevis Unite to Accelerate SDG Implementation

Over 30 young people from across St. Kitts and Nevis, including secondary school students, young professionals, and representatives from youth organizations and sports clubs, have added their voice to those providing practical solutions to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The Department of Youth Empowerment in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, recently hosted a Youth Forum and Panel Discussion entitled “Youth of the Federation: What can we do to Accelerate the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda”.

The forum sought to provide a platform for the youth to learn more about the SDGs, while making concrete recommendations toward those of particular importance to them. The youth also discussed existing challenges being experienced, which was critical given the adverse impact that the Triple Crisis, the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other shocks have on their  well-being, security, and employment prospects.

A total of nine SDGs (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13,16, and 17) were prioritized by the youth, and through group work they provided feedback on the importance of these goals to youth; the level of progress being made toward achieving the goals; the role of youth in accelerating implementation and  the type of partnership support  required from the national, regional and international community to achieve them.

During the session, the youth also benefitted from an interactive session on the SDGs by Cosbert Woods, Resident Coordinator Office, Country Coordination Officer for St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as an overview of UNICEF’s Support for Youth and Children Programming in St. Kitts and Nevis, presented by Wendy Elliott Williams, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area Programme Coordinator for St. Kitts and Nevis.

The session concluded with an informative panel discussion featuring five youth panelists who discussed the findings of the various groups, within the context of the 5 pillars for sustainable development – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships.

Nekirah Nicholls, who represents St. Kitts and Nevis on the UN Youth Advisory Group (YAG) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, led the session. It resulted in innovative recommendations on mental health and wellness, food security, brain drain, environmental consciousness, technology use, inclusivity of persons with disabilities, strengthening youth organizations, education for employment, and diversification of the job market.

Coming out of the session, participants committed to begin mainstreaming the SDG targets within their respective youth group activities, to empower youth and play their role in accelerating implementation of the global goals. 

UNICEF will use the results of the RCO's interactive presentation to create a poll. The wider youth population in St. Kitts and Nevis can validate some of these responses through the recently launched U-Report. A report will be created from this activity and shared with the government for further action. It will also be included in St. Kitts and Nevis' presentation of their Voluntary National Report on SDG progress at next month's UN High-level Political Forum. The report will also be shared with the UN Sub-Regional Team to inform UN Heads of Agencies of the priorities and areas for support that the youth have flagged to assist with SDG implementation.

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Media Contacts:

Carol A. Gaskin

Resident Coordinator Office,

Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy

Email: carol-ann.gaskin@un.org | Tel: +1 (246) 467-6110; Mobile +1 (246) 832-6110

Cosbert Woods

Resident Coordinator Office, 

Country Coordination Officer, St. Kitts and Nevis

Email: cosbert.woods@un.org | Tel: +1 (869) 668 9561