The chairman of the OECS Authority has sounded an alarm that the sub-region
faces an exodus of its young people, if enough is not done to include them in all
aspects of development.
Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis issued the caution during his address at
the opening ceremony of the 73 rd Meeting of the OECS Authority, which ends
today in the St. Kitts and Nevis Capital, Basseterre.
He said there must be a sense of belonging and involvement among young people,
which must be created by governments, otherwise, there can be trouble ahead for
the sub-region.
“Our youth need to feel that our countries have something to offer them. That they
have opportunities for economic and social growth in their home countries; that
they are valued; that they will be allowed to contribute to their societies, that they
will be able to earn livable wages, that they are being trained and invested with
skills which would allow them to flourish at the national level and to compete at
the global level,” he stated.
Dr. Drew noted that the sub-region’s youth will be of major priority during his
tenure along with health, violence as a public health issue, security, energy and the
environment.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne was among OECS heads attending the meeting.
Among the agenda items that were listed for their caucus was the status update on
efforts being made to return the Eastern Caribbean to Category 1 Status within the
Civil Aviation Sector, Accession of St. Martin and Regional Air Transportation.
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