Desi Brown to represent St. Kitts-Nevis at 8th UNESCO youth forum

(EMU) – St. Kitts, September 23, 2013: UNESCO has applauded the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and more specifically the National Commission for UNESCO for its selection of Ms. Desi Brown to represent the country at its 8th UNESCO Youth Forum from October 29-31, 2013.

Even more exciting was the news of Ms. Brown’s selection from among youth delegates throughout the Caribbean as the youth delegate supported by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The Commission will support her participation financially as well.

Ms. Brown, on learning of her successful nomination stated that she intends to use various platforms to share highlights of the event in the future but she specifically looks forward to organizing a capacity building workshop for youth in key areas.

“I envision taking on the role of UNESCO Youth Ambassador,” Ms. Brown stated, “I hope to utilize the media and the modern communication apparatus by establishing an online active youth discussion, and networking forum to educate the people of the Federation about the forum, issues discussed and UNESCO’s objectives and programme areas.”

Ms. Brown said additionally that she will use a network of creative artists to promote social commentary on UNESCO’s programmes that are relevant to the Federation’s development through the arts.

During Desi’s school years she is said to have exhibited excellent leadership qualities which afforded her the opportunity to represent her school and country in several youth forums. This reportedly sparked an undying interest for youth development as she became more aware of the challenges youth face in her community and across the region.

Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Mr. Antonio Maynard said Ms. Brown, who recently left the Federation to pursue studies at UWI’s Mona Campus, was selected because she shows an avid interest in the UNESCO programme areas and the various development projects executed by the National Commission in her job as a young journalist.

“Her experience as a young activist, and the fact that she is well acquainted with many youth organizations in the federation as well as her leadership in the performing arts as a graduate, former tutor, performer and choreographer of the Learning Empowerment of the Arts Programme “LEAP”, she is ideal to represent the Federation Mr. Maynard said.

The Youth Forum precedes the 37th Session of the UNESCO General Conference.

The Secretary General also said he was extremely grateful for the collaboration of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and expressed appreciation for their support and continued cooperation.

Ms. Brown is the daughter of Mr. Amiel Brown and Mrs. Nathalie Brown.

According to the UNESCO, in 1999 UNESCO formally strengthened its commitment to youth by establishing a Youth Forum as an integral part of the Organization’s highest decision-making body, its General Conference.

Establishing a Youth Forum emerged as an important process in the creation of synergies between UNESCO’s work on youth, youth organizations and public institutions working on youth, thereby striving to create interaction between young women and men across the world, policy makers, the civil society, the private sector and the international community.