On 23rd October, 2024, young people from across St. Kitts and Nevis gathered at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel for the Pre-COP29 Youth Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment.
The event, led by Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke, was designed to educate and inspire youth to take active roles in climate action, empowering them to understand the depth of climate science, sustainability, and the critical role young people play in shaping the future.
The theme, Climate Action and YOU(th), anchored discussions on the profound impact of climate change and its solutions.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew delivered a passionate address to the students, noting that this generation will inherit the outcome of today’s environmental policies. He expressed optimism about the youth’s ideas, saying, “I had the opportunity to make a presentation at the Pre-COP29 Youth Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action & Constituency Empowerment. More importantly, I was able to interact directly with young people from across the Federation. I was quite pleased and filled with hope by the positive and thoughtful contributions of our youth on the issue of climate change. I encourage them to let their voices be heard and to become staunch advocates. We must all fight for a sustainable island state, both for now and for future generations.”
The Forum, part of the government’s Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA), engaged students from Grade 6 to Form 5 in sessions designed to build a foundational understanding of the intersection of climate action, mental health, physical health, and sustainability. Local professionals shared knowledge and practical insights on climate action and wellness.
In the Sustainable Wellness session, counsellor Zahra Jacobs and Dr. Dasima Martin, a local sports medicine physician, explained the link between a healthy planet and individual wellbeing, reminding students that climate change impacts both physical and mental health. Dr. Martin’s “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Planet” segment focused on how maintaining personal wellness directly connects to environmental stewardship.
The Climate Science session introduced students to technical and environmental aspects of climate science with presentations from local experts like environmentalist Sade Hanley, who unpacked the effects of climate change on local geography in “Map the Change.”
Trinidadian Scientific Project Manager Tremaine Bowman highlighted biodiversity preservation’s importance in the Caribbean, while GIS Officer Josiah Burkett shared how technology can amplify climate action efforts, sparking interest in the use of innovative tools to drive solutions.
The Forum culminated in a Wrap-Up Dialogue, featuring members from the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, who provided perspectives on how they plan to integrate climate-focused actions into their daily lives. These discussions, reflecting the sentiments of the Prime Minister’s call to action, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to an inclusive, youth-driven climate agenda.
Dr. Clarke underscored the importance of youth involvement, stating, “Recognising this, this Forum brings together climate experts, mental wellness professionals, students and youth leaders to explore current national policy, share insights, and cultivate actionable, youth-led solutions that are based in inclusivity and full-scale representation.”
The Youth Forum advances the commitments made during the National Youth Spotlight Dialogue held at COP28 and marks an essential step in the Federation’s preparations for COP29, set to take place in Azerbaijan in November.
With an informed and engaged youth population, St. Kitts and Nevis is investing in the nation’s future leaders to ensure a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous island state for generations to come.
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