Climate change, health, and quality education - they are some of the most pressing issues we face and all signs point to them becoming even more challenging in the future. Who better to address them then the young people of today that will have to deal with them?
In November 2019, economic students at UWI St Augustine took part in a forum to discuss these challenges and what we can do to solve them. Titled “Bridging the Gap to 2030: The Future We Want” the event was the second Youth Economic Forum (YEF). Held at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lounge, the YEF was an initiative of the Department of Economics; the HEU, Centre for Health Economics; and the Economics Society of The UWI St Augustine Campus.
“The Youth Economic Forum was birthed to give students of the Department of Economics (at UWI St Augustine) a voice, “said Haleema Ali-Sisbane, member of the YEF coordinating committee and Contract Officer at the HEU, Centre of Health Economics, “reflecting their views on economic, social and environmental issues of regional importance as well as progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (of the United Nations).”
The first YEF was held in March 2019 and focused on the SDGs No Poverty and Zero Hunger.
“This second round of the forum mirrored the success of the first, evident from the rich discussion that followed the panel discussion in which the students’ voices formed the core,” said Mrs Ali-Sisbane.
The panellists, all students in the Economics Department, included undergraduates Dana Sookdeo and Elicia Nancoo, PhD candidate Corine Gregoire, and MSc graduate Alana Span. The moderator was economics graduate Jason Alexander.
Speaking of their performance at the YEF, Mrs Ali- Sisbane said, “It is definitely heart-warming to see young budding economists at the forefront, engaging in meaningful discussions around issues impacting the Caribbean region. It definitely augurs well for regional development.”
The third Youth Economic Forum is planned for March 2020.
