Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation and Gros Islet MP, Kenson Casimir, says a series of youth-focused initiatives unfolding within constituencies are part of a deliberate strategy to respond to rising youth violence and increasing social tensions, while positioning young people as key partners in national development.
Casimir has emphasized that addressing crime, antisocial behaviour, and social fragmentation cannot be left to any single institution. Instead, he argues that meaningful and lasting intervention requires collective responsibility across homes, schools, communities, faith-based organizations, and government agencies.
He explained that crime prevention and youth guidance are most effective when all sectors work in unison, creating supportive environments that encourage discipline, respect, and personal growth. According to Casimir, fragmented efforts yield limited results, while coordinated action strengthens communities and reduces the conditions that give rise to violence.
As part of this broader thrust, Casimir announced the Gros Islet Development Workshop 101, a structured youth empowerment programme designed to equip participants with practical life and career skills. The workshop will cover key areas including emotional intelligence and leadership, work ethics and CV writing, money management skills, conflict resolution and teamwork, and goal setting for success.
“Youth development must be intentional,” Casimir stressed, noting that young people need safe, structured spaces where they can learn, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue. He added that such spaces are critical to steering youth away from violence and towards productivity, self-confidence, and responsible citizenship.
Meanwhile, Micoud North MP Jeremiah Norbert continues to advance his own youth-centred intervention through the Vision Board Party, an initiative aimed at helping young people visualize their future, clarify their goals, and commit to both personal and community development.
Norbert underscored that empowering youth with vision and purpose is fundamental to nation building, explaining that when young people are guided to recognize their potential, they become drivers of progress rather than contributors to division.
Young people between the ages of 17 and 35 are being encouraged to register and attend the Gros Islet Development Workshop 101, which is scheduled for February 4 at the Gros Islet Human Resource Centre.
Organizers say the initiative forms part of a wider effort to invest in youth as critical stakeholders in Saint Lucia’s social and economic future.
Expanding on the Vision Board Party concept, Norbert explained that the initiative goes beyond the traditional practice of listing personal goals at the start of the year. Instead, it seeks to broaden young people’s exposure to new and emerging activities, moving past the limited range of recreational options typically available in the constituency.
While personal development remains a core focus, Norbert said the programme places strong emphasis on collective responsibility. A central feature is the creation of a community vision board, where participants are invited to share ideas about what they would like to see implemented in the constituency. These contributions, he noted, will directly inform future initiatives, with his office acting as a facilitator to help turn ideas into action.
Norbert pointed to environmental action as one clear example of how community input will be translated into tangible outcomes. He revealed that following the initial Vision Board Party in January, and in observance of the upcoming Independence celebrations, a community cleanup campaign will be organized. The initiative aims to send a strong national message about the importance of cleanliness, environmental stewardship, and responsible waste disposal — challenges he acknowledged persist both within the constituency and across the island.
He added that feedback from residents has consistently highlighted a desire for a cleaner community and a cleaner Saint Lucia overall. According to Norbert, the Vision Board Party provides an inclusive platform for residents to voice these concerns while becoming active participants in solutions.
Ultimately, Norbert stressed that the initiative is about fostering ownership, leadership, and civic pride among residents. He emphasized that sustainable development cannot be driven solely by elected officials, but must be shaped by communities themselves, with citizens taking an active role in defining and building the future they want to see.
