“More Action and Less Tokenism”, shared sentiments of various youth leaders who met with His Excellency Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary-General on his visit to The Bahamas as a part of his tour throughout the Caribbean Region.

On the 14th February, 2013, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture facilitated a meeting where young leaders of various youth organizations were invited to attend an open discussion with Ambassador LaRocque and the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Dr. Daniel Johnson. 

The meeting was at the behest of the Ambassador as he makes a noted effort to speak with the youth of the countries he visits. In this way, young people are able to voice their concerns and discuss challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

The meeting began with Minister Daniel Johnson bringing remarks on behalf of the Government. He assured the audience that our issues would receive a serious discussion at the executive level within Cabinet.  He also stressed that he would like to see more action from young people in the form of peaceful protests, forums, youth debates that would showcase their opinions on policies affecting youth within the country.

Regardless of the assurance from the Minister that our issues would be seriously considered by the government, the Minister was informed by the youth representatives that they expected the government to do what they had promised for young persons and youth organizations.

Despite the opportunity provided by the visit of the Ambassador, youth leaders present expressed their concern that it appears from consecutive governments and the current administration, that young people are only called to the table for discussion when it is politically convenient, or when the opportunity was good for a photograph. We expect more from our leaders. We hold them to a higher standard because we, the people, elected them.

The issue of NON-EXISTENT National Youth Policy in 2013 is a major concern for all youth organizations in the country. Despite there being a number of drafts outlining programmes to address issues facing the youth, all of which have been submitted to successive governments, there still is no agreement and no official youth policy for the country.

Of major concern for The Bahamas National Youth Council (BNYC) which has been in existence since 2006, and is a duly incorporated Non-Government Organization is that we have yet to be officially recognized. The sentiment expressed at the meeting was that the continuous “lip service” being paid to youth organizations has to stop and action needs to take place NOW. The government asks for youth to “take action” but they refuse to set the example as our needs constantly fall on deaf ears due to their inaction!  

Youth leaders were unanimous in their responses that young people are often taken as “tokens” at various meetings such as this and regardless of the plans discussed, rarely anything ever happens. Mr. Eric Miller, Senator of Social Science for the College of The Bahamas Union of Students stated, “Forums have come and gone that most youth leaders have already attended where solutions to these same issues have already been discussed. However, government continuously uses young people to discuss the same matters over and over again as is being done in this same setting. We are used as tokens for international entities to pretend as if our matters are being addressed. When we all return to our homes we get a call to repeat the process over yet again”

Regardless of the feelings that were shared by various youth leaders present, it was a unanimous agreement that all representatives of youth organizations present were grateful for the time taken by the Ambassador for meeting with young leaders of The Bahamas. They expressed a sense of urgency that discussions such as these should not only take place when dignitaries visit, rather, there should be continuous and regular meetings with the youth organizations so that their voices,  their concerns and needs are heard, heeded and acted upon by those who are elected to serve them.

Extending this thinking, Tyson McKenzie, Elected President of The Bahamas National Youth Council (BNYC) and Youth Officer of The Bahamas Red Cross stated, “Our needs as young people go beyond our borders. While we are tackling issues facing young people of The Bahamas and the Caribbean, we must also address the issue of a regional cultural belonging and identity of all our people of The Bahamas. The economy of The Bahamas was built by the migration of Nationals from all over the region and this must be taught to us as young Bahamians, both formal curriculums and more informal settings as well. We must learn to embrace our Caribbean Identity as young people and continue to advocate for the celebration of Caribbean unity, and Youth Day, which is celebrated on the 30th September every year is a great place to start’.

Representatives from various organizations including but not limited to the Executives from The Bahamas National Youth Council (BNYC), National Youth Policy Team (NYPTT), Scouts Bahamas, The College of The Bahamas Union of Students (COBUS), Youth Advisory Council were also in attendance.

For more information, or to reach the President, please contact the BNYC at bahamasnyc@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BNYCInc.