National Youth Policy of Antigua and Barbuda.

he National Youth Policy will facilitate a multi‐sectoral approach to youth development, including the strengthening of mechanisms for coordination and collaboration among youth‐serving organizations. The purposes of the National Youth Policy are to (i) define a common vision and framework for youth development, (ii) define, promote and protect the rights, the roles and responsibilities of young people in their personal and national development, (iii) serve as a tool for advocating development issues that affect youth, and (iv) provide the framework for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of youth development programmes and services.
Active youth and stakeholder participation will be promoted in decision making at all levels of youth and national development. The capacity of youth development partners will be increased to provide accessible, relevant and high quality services for young people and their families with the aim of safe physical and psychological environment for children and young people. The basic and fundamental rights of all young people in Antigua and Barbuda should be respected such as the right to quality education, and basic health care, and protection from all forms of exploitation, including child labour. The different needs of the various youth groups will be taken into account in a socially equitable manner, including young men and young women, youth with disabilities, youth in difficult circumstances and from vulnerable communities and youth of different ages. Youth development and the empowerment of girls and young women will be emphasized as a strategy for poverty alleviation. Awareness raising and orientation related programmes will be conducted through youth festivals, youth awareness programmes, workshops and discussions on various national issues and the role of young people in society. The legislative and institutional infrastructure to support young entrepreneurs will be established and sustained. Vocational training will be provided to youth to improve their entrepreneurial skills and to increase income generation opportunities. Resources of national and international private and non‐governmental organizations will be harnessed and channelled to the development of the young people. Non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations working for youth development will be assisted financially, technically and ethically to work creatively, objectively and cooperatively. The government, NGO and private sectors will be encouraged to conduct youth related research for the development and delivery of services and programmes to young people as well as for the formulation of policies impacting young people. A National Youth Council will be established as an independent organization at the national level to provide a youth‐led vehicle to promote and review the National Youth Policy. The Council will be supported technically and financially by the Government. Public access for young people to information technologies and other youth development and support services will be provided through the Youth Centres. Public awareness including youth will be raised on environmental protection, women empowerment, gender equality, regional integration, cultural diversity and other essential issues.
The Department of Youth Affairs shall be responsible of the implementation of the National Youth Policy in collaboration with the all stakeholders including Government, business sector, non‐governmental and community-based organizations, the faith community, youth organizations and young people themselves. The progress of the National Youth Policy will be monitored and thereby reviewed every five years in harmonization with the National Youth Development Strategy.