Caribbean Netherlands Youth Unite in Sint Maarten for First UNICEF Participation Exchange

UNICEF the Netherlands recently held the first Youth Participation Exchange for the Caribbean Netherlands in Sint Maarten. The event brought together eighteen young people aged 14 to 27 from St. Eustatius, Saba and Bonaire to learn, connect, and collaborate on issues affecting their communities.

The exchange featured workshops on leadership, advocacy, and community engagement, aiming to empower youth as agents of change. Participants shared their views on education, mental health, housing, inclusion, and climate change, offering valuable input for the Dutch National Youth Strategy currently in development.

Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet peers from neighboring islands, highlighting how much they have in common and calling for more events that support connection and shared learning.

According to Melissa Robins-Spanner, the Registrar from St. Eustatius, it was truly inspiring to witness the energy and ideas of young people coming together. “This programme not only motivates but empowers youth by showing them their ideas can lead to real impact.”

UNICEF’s senior children’s rights specialist Margje Troost points out that young people must be given the tools and opportunities to contribute to their communities. “Meaningful participation leads to fresh ideas and practical solutions that benefit everyone.”

Collaboration

The Youth Participation Exchange was organized by UNICEF the Netherlands in collaboration with the public entities of the BES islands and forms part of the BES programme, supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.