Jovanna Ifill, YAG Health and Food Security Team Leader.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad--With Caribbean youth disproportionately facing complex challenges that threaten their health and overall well-being, the UN Youth Advisory Group (YAG) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean is providing an avenue to make a positive difference, according to a press release from United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC Caribbean).
The YAG, which comprises passionate youth leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean, will this month launch “Youth Speaks”, a monthly podcast series, designed to create an inclusive platform for Caribbean youth to engage with experts, share experiences and drive advocacy around critical health and social issues affecting the region.
Jovanna Ifill, YAG Health and Food Security Team Leader explained: “From worsening climate crises to mental health struggles, gender-based violence, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, chronic non-communicable diseases and the systemic exclusion of persons with disabilities – these issues are all deeply interconnected and disproportionately affect young people.” She further noted that “recent data underscores the need for much more urgent action.”
According to UNICEF and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (2024), over 80% of Caribbean youth are concerned about the health impacts of climate change, with many experiencing eco-anxiety due to hurricanes, droughts and displacement. Mental health services remain limited, despite one in four Caribbean adults living with a mental health condition (Barbados Ministry of Health & Wellness, 2023). Meanwhile, non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity are rising among youth, driven by poor nutrition, low physical activity and climate-related food insecurity (PAHO, 2023).
Against this backdrop, Ifill says the podcast series aims to foster inclusive, youth-centred conversations on pressing health issues to create awareness; integrate intergenerational perspectives to bridge gaps between youth, policy makers and health professionals; and support access to equitable healthcare, positive behaviour change and collective advocacy, the release states. Ultimately, this initiative will amplify youth voices to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and related SDGs.
UN Resident Coordinator, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett welcomed this initiative, commending the YAG for this timely and potentially impactful initiative. “The ‘Youth Speaks’ podcast is a powerful platform that places young people at the forefront of conversations that matter – on health, climate, equity and inclusion. It reflects the leadership, creativity and resilience of Caribbean youth, and the United Nations is proud to support their efforts to drive meaningful change and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being.”
The YAG is hoping to engage over 500 Caribbean youth between the ages of 15 and 30 via the monthly podcast series to be broadcast on social media platforms, according to the release. To promote inter-generational support, Ifill stressed that they are also seeking to reach persons over 30 who can relate to those issues, as well as policymakers, healthcare professionals and youth advocates. To bridge the information gap for audiences who may not traditionally be on social media, she noted that they are also hoping to attract radio sponsorship, to promote the initiative across the region, to reach their target audience in a more equitable way.
The series will be launched today, Monday July 14, from 5:30pm to 6:45pm Atlantic Standard Time, with a live Panel Discussion on Climate Change & Mental Health in the Caribbean, via Zoom. The launch will also feature a moderated Q&A session with regional stakeholders. Participants will include representatives of Caribbean youth networks, regional health and development partners, government officials and agencies and community organisations, the release concludes.
