BASSETERRE — The National Secretariat for Human Security and Wellbeing recently brought together key stakeholders as part of its Summer of Intervention, an initiative designed to increase positive engagement opportunities for young people during the summer months and reduce their exposure to factors associated with crime and violence.
The stakeholder meeting, held on Wednesday, 17th June, brought together representatives from summer camps, community organisations, youth programmes, churches, and other partners to discuss collaboration, programme support, and opportunities for youth engagement throughout the Federation.
Participants were presented with research and local data highlighting the importance of early intervention and community involvement in violence prevention. Discussions also examined crime trends which show increased criminal activity during the summer months when schools are closed and young people often have more free time and exposure to negative influences.
Senator Isalean Phillip, Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council for Human Security and Wellbeing, said the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing risk factors before they escalate into violence and criminal activity.
“Summer should be a period of growth, exploration, and opportunity for our young people. Through Summer of Intervention and its Own Your Summer programme, we are working with communities and programme providers to ensure that young people have access to positive, structured activities that build confidence, strengthen important life skills, and create pathways to future opportunities.”
She added that the initiative reflects the whole-of-society approach at the heart of the Human Security strategy.
“Meaningful and lasting change requires the active involvement of families, communities, churches, schools, businesses, youth organisations, and government agencies working together to create supportive environments in which our young people can thrive.”
Through Summer of Intervention, the Secretariat aims to develop a national calendar of summer activities, strengthen coordination among programme providers, increase access to positive youth engagement opportunities, and reach approximately 2,500 young people across the Federation.
A major component of the initiative is the first annual Own Your Summer, a collaborative programme being implemented in partnership with summer camps and community organisations. The programme seeks to expand access to educational, recreational, developmental, mentorship, and skills-building opportunities while supporting the work already being undertaken by camp operators across St. Kitts and Nevis.
Participants were encouraged to register their programmes and incorporate themes such as leadership, conflict resolution, team building, civic responsibility, and soft skills development into their activities.
Coordinator of the National Secretariat for Human Security and Wellbeing, Eartha Carey, welcomed the strong level of engagement from participating organisations and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to partnership throughout the summer.
“The success of this initiative depends on partnership. Communities, families, churches, schools, camp operators, businesses, volunteers, and government agencies all have an important role to play in helping our young people develop positively and remain connected to opportunities that support their growth and wellbeing.”
The Secretariat will continue engagement with participating organisations through programme registration, promotion, site visits, and the development of a national summer activities calendar to help connect young people and families with opportunities available across the Federation.
The Summer of Intervention initiative forms part of the Secretariat’s ongoing public health approach to violence prevention, which focuses on strengthening protective factors, reducing risk, and building safer communities through prevention, partnership, and early intervention.