The Struggle of National Youth Councils (NYCs)

by Imran Bacchus

National Youth Councils (NYCs) are civic, non-governmental, youth-led bodies that represent the voices of young people in countries across the Caribbean. These entities promote youth leadership and advocacy at the community and national levels. They rely on the support of host governments and various stakeholders to function effectively. Across the Caribbean region and elsewhere, their structures may vary, but their mission and mandate remain established on common values and interests. They are non-partisan and seek to empower young people and foster engagement with them so that they are seen and heard. In a world where it is easy for the cries and pleas of young people to fade away in the busyness and noise of political crises and other growing matters that crowd the tables of governments, NYCs serve as a pivotal body to echo the importance of young people in society. At the same time, advance their social concerns by drawing attention to the issues and challenges they face and consulting with various bodies to remedy them.

Over the years, they have been instrumental in driving positive changes in our communities and states through the implementation of impactful projects, programmes, and initiatives. However, several NYCs have become dormant, and others are on a similar path. The main driver of this problem is the lack of resources and support from governments and inter-agencies. Given that many NYCs are stand-alone or independent bodies, they rely heavily on external parties for funding and support. As a result of inadequate aid from donors and partners, many are seeing young leaders quit the opportunities that exist to serve their communities and pursue a life elsewhere.

Let’s look around for a second. Violence is rippling through the Caribbean. Young people have cried out for help. Something is immensely missing; there is a gap. There are not many young role models that exist. NYCs can assist governments in reaching vulnerable young people and providing valuable data to address the conflicts that are affecting them. As NYCs become dormant and possibly extinct, eventually the representation of young people in our society will disappear. Supporting NYCs does not have to be political but a responsibility to our young people. How can we say that we value young people when a critical youth-led entity that serves their voices and interests is neglected? We can and must do better as governments.

Moreover, NYCs create spaces for young people to gain experiences that will strengthen their skills and competencies in various areas and expose them to opportunities that can sharpen their proficiencies in communication and networking. Young people are given the space and latitude to think, create, execute, and build their competencies and innovative abilities on climate change, education, human rights, politics, and other social subjects. They are being placed at the forefront of change and transformation, and to learn from volunteering exercises that have pragmatic effects on their lives. Young people who have been involved in community projects and activities have shown to be more versatile, adaptive, critical thinkers, and problem solvers in the workplace and professionally. In the Caribbean alone, a number of youth councils are struggling to survive with limited resources while still being able to make a difference. Some of these are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, etc. The need to support our young people and youth-led institutions is now.

It is therefore pertinent for governments to reconsider their approaches to the government of young people in their respective countries and evaluate their mechanisms and systems to ensure that youth voices are not stymied. Considerations for fiscal support and channels for supporting NYCs should be prioritised, particularly as human rights continue to shift globally. When youths are valued, the change is felt in our communities and seen in our nations. NYCs do not seek much, as the talent and creativity exist, but the financial resources to implement initiatives are where the constraint lies. Further, NYCs prepare young leaders to be positive actors and changemakers in society. As such, their importance cannot be underscored enough.