Christopher Brathwaite and Janae Herbert have been named as new CARICOM Youth Ambassadors for the 2025–2027 term.
The duo, along with alternates Kalan Alleyne and Jennifer Burrows, were officially presented on Wednesday by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, with all four signalling their intent to champion issues such as education, citizenship, mental health, youth development and human rights.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith said the groundwork had long been laid for the new cohort, and urged them to build on it.
“The road has already been paved for them; all they need now is to do what is necessary in terms of impacting themselves in terms of growth, our young people, in terms of bringing projects to the fore that can move our young people forward,” Griffith said.
He said he was looking forward to sitting with the ambassadors to learn about the initiatives they wish to pursue.
“It is always good to hear the voice of young people… I know that they’re very focused and on their way in terms of impacting not only at the national level, but in the region. I look forward to a journey that is productive,” the minister stated, while giving the assurance that the ministry would work “in concert with them” to execute the projects they propose and ensure youth interests are represented in government.
Brathwaite, 25, a student of foreign affairs and global policy, said he hopes to contribute to both Barbados’ foreign policy development and youth advancement.
“I have always been a long-standing advocate for youth and youth development… I cannot simply be a mouthpiece for advocacy when it’s convenient. It is just as important to roll up my sleeves and be a part of the change that I want to see,” he said.
He noted that as national youth commissioner of the Barbados Boy Scouts Association, he helped spearhead the organisation’s 2023 national youth engagement policy and hopes to similarly impact the CARICOM role.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Herbert said she felt honoured to be selected.
“This is a privilege, but it is at its core a responsibility and a heavy one at that. I hope this opportunity is a platform for me to effect real change, especially working along with my counterpart, Christopher Brathwaite, and the alternates Kalan Alleyne and Jennifer Burrows,” Herbert said.
Alternate female ambassador Burrows, 28, said she too was mindful of the responsibility that comes with the appointment.
“I look forward to serving the youth of our country, serving the nation, and serving the youth of CARICOM at large… and supporting the vision of the current ambassadors moving forward,” Burrows said.
She said she was particularly passionate about education, youth development, and women’s and girls’ empowerment.
Alternate male ambassador Kalan Alleyne, a 19-year-old first-year international relations student at UWI Cave Hill, said his studies have already exposed him to regional integration, communication between states, and the political dynamics that shape policy.
Outgoing CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Kai Allman and Ashley Lashley served for several years in the role. (LG)
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