The Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, is gearing up to host his landmark 2023 National Youth Consultative Conference (YCC), a critical platform for engaging with the country’s youth to address the multifaceted challenges they face, and foster peace-building strategies by and for young people.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend of an increasing number of young Jamaicans who are brought into a world of crime, both as victims and perpetrators. The statistics paint a troubling picture, prompting the nation to explore the underlying factor that drives this surge in youth involvement in criminal activities, as well as strengthen young people with meaningful opportunities to be agents of change.

This year, the YCC will happen in Kingston on October 26. The initiative, started by Sir Patrick, will be attended by representatives from the Ministries of Education and Youth, National Security, and several United Nations groups in Jamaica.

The annual youth conference aims to delve deep into the heart of the issue that affect Jamaican youths from different backgrounds who will be at the centre of the discussions. It will them a platform to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and present ideas that will help youths to become agents of positive change in their schools and communities and make Jamaica more peaceful.

The conference will feature small group discussions that will engage youth in conversation on topics such as culture vs crime, making schools safe and cool, digital citizenship, and building peace together.

Discussions will also take place about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 16, and its importance to young Jamaicans. Youths in attendance will have multiple opportunities to ask insightful questions and engage in discussions with delegates in attendance.

The Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE), through its ‘I Believe’ Initiative, is the body championing the 2023 YCC. The GGPE notes that young people’s rights and priorities span all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Youth development within Vision 2030, and the SDG framework, is crucial to the achievement of all goals and targets.