UN Youth Deputy Secretary-General Jazmine Clarke, and Youth Secretary-General Malachi Francique (seated) join Foreign Service Officer, Dunnaliz Commodore (extreme left), Grenada's Former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Dessima Williams (second row from left, YAG Members Raheem Smith and Kerri-Ann Marrast (back row centre) and UN personnel during the recent Awards Ceremony at the UWI Global Campus.
ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada--Two Grenadian students took on UN leadership roles as the country's first UN Youth Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General for a Day, putting forward bold ideas on digital innovation, youth participation and Grenada's development.
Following a competitive national selection, Malachi Francique of St. George's Institute was named UN Youth Secretary-General for a Day, while Jazmine Clarke of St. Joseph's Convent, St. Andrew, was selected as UN Youth Deputy Secretary-General.
Led by Grenada representatives on the UN Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Youth Advisory Group (YAG), Kerri-Ann Marrast, Raheem Smith and Zinzee Noel, the competition invited students aged 16 to 18 to propose innovative, inclusive solutions to national and global challenges, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also gave participants an opportunity to explore diplomacy, sustainable development and the UN's work with Grenada.
On 21 October, ahead of UN Day, which is observed on October 24, Francique and Clarke participated in official engagements with Ambassador Dessima Williams, former Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations; Victor Clark, Resident British Commissioner to Grenada; and Ms.Rosana John of Dentons Delaney, Deputy Chair of the UN Global Compact Network Caribbean. They later participated in DMs with the Prime Minister, a live radio and television programme featuring Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, where they posed questions and interacted with the Prime Minister following the show.
Speaking at the awards ceremony on 28 October, Ambassador Williams underscored the importance of multilateralism for Small Island Developing States such as Grenada and encouraged young people to become more engaged in international affairs and leadership.
“The UN provides stability to the world and thus becomes an anchor for Grenada. You can and must help to stabilise the anchor that stabilises where you live and how you live,” Ambassador Williams advised.
In his UN Youth Secretary-General’s Message for United Nations Day, Francique proposed a Grenada Digital Futures Initiative focused on AI literacy, digital entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills for young people, with an emphasis on using innovation and partnerships to address community challenges.
“Grenada is a small state, but small does not have to mean isolated. Through international cooperation, we can connect Grenadian talent with expertise, partnerships, funding and opportunities beyond our shores,” the UN Youth Secretary General said.
Reflecting on her experience as UN Youth Deputy Secretary-General for a Day, Clarke called for greater youth participation in decision-making and challenged young people to recognise their ability to shape change.
“We are not powerless spectators waiting for tomorrow to arrive. We are active participants in the story being written today,’ she maintained.
The competition also recognised Marissa Antoine of St. Joseph's Convent, St. Andrew; Zaine Ferguson of St. David Catholic Secondary School; and Kezia Alexander, Kamal Joseph and Anosha Mitchell of T.A. Marryshow Community College. Their submissions addressed issues including food security, climate resilience, mental health, the green-blue economy and stronger partnerships for sustainable development. Dunnaliz Commodore, Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, joined in presenting certificates to participants.
The initiative brought together students, schools, government, diplomats, private-sector partners, UN agencies and youth leaders, demonstrating how young people can contribute practical ideas to national and global challenges.
Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited contributed EC$1,000 towards a youth leadership initiative at the winning school, while Affordable Island Communications Inc. (AIsleCom Inc.) provided laptops to the first- and second-place winners. The YAG also acknowledged support from Ambassador Ruth Rouse, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development; Media Broadcaster and Executive Producer Kenroy Baptiste; The UWI Global Campus; and Sweet Traditions Bakery Café. Personnel from UNDP, PAHO/WHO, WFP, UN Women, UNESCO, UNDRR and FAO also distributed tokens of appreciation to participants.
The initiative will continue through planned mentorship in diplomacy and professional development for Francique and Clarke. With support from Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, organisers also plan to produce a short video, “The Making of a UN Youth Secretary-General,” for broadcast through the Government Information Service and UN social-media platforms.
Grenada became a Member State of the United Nations on September 17,1974
