UNDP Barbados and the OECS launches Youth Think Tank (YTT) Open Competition

February 9, 2012, Bridgetown. Globally and regionally there is increasing support and investment in youth programmes, support to expand the inclusion of the voices of youth in policy and decision-making processes. Investing time, efforts and resources in Caribbean youth creates new opportunities, choices and helps build the human capital and human development needed to support Caribbean development goals.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Subregional Office for Barbados and the OECS is hosting this competition to support youth participation in this first Caribbean Youth Think Tank (YTT). The YTT members will be selected through an open competition. The competition is open to Caribbean Youth Leaders, CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, National Youth Ambassadors from CARICOM and OECS Member States, Activists from civil society organisations, Representatives of community youth based organisations; Representatives from private sector organisations and Youth Journalists.

The Youth Think Tank is a component of the Youth-Innovation (Youth-IN) Project being implemented by the UNDP Barbados and the OECS Subregional Office. This project supports the development of CARICOM youth between the ages of 15 to 29 and will action CARICOM research recommendations on youth aspirations. Enabling change environments to encourage youth-led participation in governance is also a priority. As future leaders, workers, parents, citizens, young people Members of the Youth Think Tank will conceptualize action and opportunities for greater youth inclusion and participation through integrated development, volunteerism and partnerships with the public and private sectors.

The Caribbean Youth Think Tank will support expanded leadership capacities, youth enterprise and involvement in democratic governance processes and promote:. Caribbean youth participation in intergenerational dialogue as well as global, regional and national governance dialogues taking account of the changing demographic, socioeconomic and environmental context of the Caribbean;

1. Cross-cultural dialogue, understanding and tolerance;

2. Building knowledge, developing analytical and critical thinking skills, creativity and innovation to achieve world class standards;

3. New job creation and labour force participation to address issues such as increasing global youth unemployment rate trends;

4. Improved healthy active lifestyles, reduction in risk-taking behaviour, empowering young people and promoting civic participation.

Applications form can be downloaded through the following links: www.youth-in.com/ytt/YTT_Application_Form_Caribbean.doc;The Youth-In Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/youthinnovation or can be obtained by emailing cariyouththink@gmail.com.

The deadline for the submission of applications is Thursday, 1st March 2012. Applications received after that date will not be acknowledged.