As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat continues to work with Member States, regional and international stakeholders on improving citizen security, it is moving apace with initiatives to address youth unemployment and recidivism.
Two workshops with this purpose are being conducted in Kingston, Jamaica from 7-11 October 2019, at the Medallion Hall. Their implementation results from partnership among CARICOM Secretariat; the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of National Security; the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information; and the European Union under the CARIFORUM–EU Crime and Security Programme.
Within the framework of the Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) initiative, one of the workshops targets Involuntary Returned Migrants, and young people out of the juvenile justice system. It is anticipated that the transference and use of these skills among this target population, will redound to reduced youth unemployment, drug abuse, and crime and violence in society.
The other aspect will see Youth Empowerment Officers and other youth leaders participating in a Training of Trainers Workshop. The skills they acquire in this session should build their capacity to share creativity and business information. All of the participants will receive practical guidance to create and implement business ideas.
Expert and experienced national and regional facilitators are guiding the sessions to ensure that the participants develop effective communication, decision-making and conflict resolution skills; develop short-to-medium-term self-improvement plans; and, understand how to structure a simulated company with assigned personnel and a business plan.
According to the Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development within the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Hilary Brown, focus will be on “high energy engagement with young people.”
“They form themselves into companies, they come to the CEBO Bank to apply for a micro loan which they receive,” she said, after a successful pitch of their business ideas.
This practical approach to youth entrepreneurial skills training also involves the participants going out into field to market and sell a…
