Eye on the Future: Investing in Youth Now for Tomorrow's Community

The Report argues that young people comprise the sector of the population best positioned by virtue of their creative potential to play the leading role in responding to the challenges of globalisation and, therefore, to the demands of regional integration and the CSME. However, despite various efforts to tap their participation, not only do they know little of the CSME, their commitment to the region is overshadowed by the multiplicity of problems with which they are confronted, including half-hearted attempts at meaningful governance structures. In outlining what needs to be done, the Report calls for four critical actions: understanding the transitional character of adolescents and youth; tangible recognition of their contribution to the Region; more investment in them for greater returns to both country and Region; and a radical shift towards partnering with them to tackle many of the burning issues confronting us.