Youth Voice Key to National Development – Terrelonge

State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, has emphasised the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the voice of the nation’s youth is considered in the development process.

The State Minister said that youth engagement is a core policy of the Government.

“This is why we established the National Youth Advisory Council. It is why we created the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council. It is also why we re-energised the Youth Parliament and the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence,” he pointed out.

Mr. Terrelonge was speaking at the launch of the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) Youth Advisory Group (YAG) at the EU Delegation’s office in Kingston on Tuesday (April 8).

He said the YAG represents a significant step towards strengthening the engagement of Jamaica’s youth in governance, policy development and international affairs.

He noted that in Jamaica and other countries, youth are actively contributing to national development and social justice.

“It is, therefore, highly commendable that the UN and the EU recognise that youth must play a more active role in helping the world in which we all live in order to overcome complex crises and to achieve peace, security, social justice, economic development, digital transformation, climate resilience, and sustainable development,” he noted.

Mr. Terrelonge said that Jamaica has always placed great emphasis on youth empowerment and participation in both national and local decision-making processes, recognising that young people are integral stakeholders in shaping policies and initiatives that affect their lives.

“There is always a seat at the table for you, and you must take your seat. In the event you believe that there is no seat at the table for you, bring your own seat and create your own table for taking your place.

“As young leaders, your voices must be heard. You must always be valued, and you must always be integrated into the collective decision-making framework,” he told the YAG members.

Mr. Terrelonge said Government is prioritising youth development in recognition that young people are a key pillar in achieving national peace, productivity, and development.

He cited the transformation of the HEART/NSTA Trust, which has evolved from offering basic hospitality training to providing advanced technical education in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and software engineering, as a key part of the initiative.

“Through free tuition up to Level 4 (which is the equivalent of an associate degree), transportation and lunch grants, and also tool grants for graduates, this Government is ensuring equitable access to training and career advancement. These efforts aim to build a digitally literate, future-ready workforce that supports Jamaica’s economic growth and global competitiveness,” he added.

Mr. Terrelonge pointed out that the Government has also expanded support for youth through initiatives such as the Learning & Investment for Transformation (LIFT) programme, which equips high-school graduates with workforce-ready skills.

He further highlighted Government’s provision of $653 million for tertiary scholarships last year, which, he said, guaranteed access to higher education to more households across Jamaica.

“These initiatives reflect a very clear strategy of this Administration to empower Jamaica’s youth, not just academically but socially and economically, so that youth can move Jamaica forward,” the State Minister added.

He encouraged the YAG “to seize this opportunity to drive positive transformation, to truly build it, to lead, inspire, and transform, to challenge the status quo, and to offer fresh, dynamic solutions to the issues facing our global societies today.”