Dear Editor,
The first time I represented the island abroad I was 19 years old. After going through a vetting process (written and oral) I was selected to attend the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage and Youth Leadership conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica. However, I would have been the one to go nonetheless, because I was the only one who completed the application!
In the past two years I have had the opportunity to represent St. Maarten and attend various leadership, empowerment or sustainability programmes around the world. That one trip to Jamaica motivated me to be one of the few and sometimes the only Caribbean voice at those international platforms.
By default, every St. Maartener is an ambassador of the island. With the thousands we currently have abroad, whenever they meet someone new one of the first questions they’ll get is “Where is that?” That will prompt questions about the island, history, culture, economy and so forth. A question that must be asked, however, is how much do our students know about their island?
I firmly believe knowledge of one’s heritage plays a major role in building self-confidence which in return will foster boldness and courage in our youth. I realised that some of these conferences intimidate our youth either because of the requirements, distance or cost. I too had fears several times I applied to certain programmes. There were times when I was the youngest or least “educated” yet I found myself being respected in the debates or workshops.
Such experiences have taught me to never underestimate oneself and I hope to see more young people with the same mindset. Imagine the intimidation being the only black person in a plane and airport in Russia. That’s what I dealt with and overcame. I believe that St. Maarten has way too many talented and brilliant young minds to not encourage them to represent not just the island but also the Caribbean.
I think it’s time we add structure or create a programme where our young people can get the opportunity to be an ambassador for the island; whether it’s in the arts, academics, science, business, leadership and other fields. Currently there are hundreds of seminars and conferences happening internationally that we can benefit from by having a youth representative.
Whether through the youth department or tourism department, I believe we need to set a solid structure on the requirements and responsibilities of a youth ambassador. Since most times I travelled through self-will, I encouraged others to do so via social media, and also talking to students at different schools. However, I wish there was a system in place to submit reports on the conferences, brainstorm ideas and form partnerships or enhance existing programmes with the knowledge gained.
Companies should also be able to support because it’s an investment in a better island. Most importantly, these seminars and conferences help with personal development through the skills one develops such as public speaking, listening, (underrated skill), debating, networking and intercultural communication. Not to mention it provides the opportunity to broaden one’s view of the world as travelling is one of the best ways to do so.
With all that being said, I strongly urge our youth to take the opportunity themselves to be global citizens and gain the necessary experience and knowledge we desperately need to help us move forward. There are websites and Facebook pages such as Youth Opportunity and Opportunity Desk which constantly post seminars, conferences and competitions which we are eligible to attend.
No matter which field you’re in, research programmes and workshops that will be taking place and let’s get this island to be more global! We have the brains and talent; it is now time to put the resources behind them.
Ralph Cantave
