A Youth in Disarmament Seminar was held at the True Blue Bay Resort in St George from Monday, 22 to Thursday, 25 July.
The seminar targeted Caribbean youth between the ages of 13 and 18 with the aim of empowering them with the capacity to be advocates for the disarmament of explosive weapons in populated areas, landmines, and cluster munitions, and in the Caribbean context, discussions on guns and small arms. The sessions also focused on creating a network of youth who are passionate about disarmament so they can support each other on their important work once they return to their respective countries.
A total of 19 youth participated from Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
This initiative was funded through the advocacy project “Strengthening Norms Through Youth Participation,” which forms part of the 24/25 Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Counter-Proliferation Programme and implemented by Mines Action Canada.
Resident British Commissioner Victor Clark delivered remarks on Day 3, which focused on the UK Government’s ongoing work on disarmament globally and within the Caribbean region. He provided tips and encouraged the young advocates to continue supporting their respective governments on local initiatives aimed at reducing gun-related criminal activities and working with at-risk youth.
Facilitator of the seminar Erin Hunt said: “Youth in the Caribbean Region are doing amazing work combatting gun violence and promoting disarmament. It was fantastic to learn about what all the participants are doing and provide them an opportunity to expand that knowledge and skill set to include landmines, cluster munitions and explosive weapons in populated areas in their advocacy.”
Following the conclusion of this seminar, participants will return to their countries with increased capacity and confidence to lobby their governments and educate their communities on disarmament. Mines Action Canada plans to host 2 more regional Youth in Disarmament Seminars in South Africa in September 2024 and in Thailand in March 2025.
