Caribbean Netherlands youth advice government on post-corona crisis

United Nations Chil­dren’s Fund UNICEF launched the project “My New World” in Bonaire, St, Eustatius and Saba under which dozens of adolescents have given thought to the question what their ideal world should look like after the COVID-19 crisis. Their answers to this question have been incorporated in advice given to the local authorities and the Dutch government.

In close coordination with the secondary schools in the Caribbean Nether­lands, a number of partici­pants were selected to par­ticipate in focus groups in which they brainstormed and worked on their ad­vice.

Young people ages 13­-18 years expressed their opinions on topics that affect them, Themes that came up in Statia were, for example, the need for faster Internet and better healthcare so that Queen Beatrix Medical Centre is prepared to treat patients in the event of a surge in coronavirus cases.

Saba students emphasised the need for better youth representation, affordable school supplies and a less restrictive lockdown in the event of a future corona outbreak, among other points.

In Statia and Saba, UNI­CEF works with local educators Urisha Blake and Lysanne Charles, re­spectively, who facilitated the focus groups and sup­ported the students with formulating their advice.

“The children were pleas­antly surprised that they were asked to think along and proved to be very in­volved during the discus­sions. They were also very delighted to know that their peers in Bonaire and Saba were also participat­ing_ We have built a bridge with this “My New World project,” said Blake about Statia’s “My New World” participants.

It was thoroughly en­couraging, though not sur­prising, to hear how deeply the young people of Saba went with their thoughts about what they would like their world to look like post-COVID-19 and how strong they were in their opinions about what was best for them and for their island Saba,” coordinator Charles said.

“My New World” is aimed at young people from all walks of life. In Statia, the focus group consisted of eight Gwendoline van Putten Secondary School stu­dents. In Saba, eight Saba Comprehensive School students gave their advice. Approximately 22 ado­lescents from the Scholengemeenschap Bonaire (SUB) participated in the focus group sessions.

The recommendations of the focus groups were presented in the form of a survey to larger groups of students within the schools so that they could indicate what they agreed or dis­agreed with.

“I think this was a good experience, because it hap­pens too often that people forget about our opinions. It is like if you cannot vote you do not have a say,’ but now we do have a say and I hope we keep having one,” said Ishn Courtar (14) from Statia.

“I found this experience great. I was able to voice my opinion and I feel heard,” said 16-year-old Vernisha Robinson from Saba.

The children’s advice has been compiled and will be officially handed over to Government Commission­er of St. Eustatius Marnix van Rij and Commissioner Bruce Zagers and Island Secretary Tim Muller in Saba on September 10, the day the advice will also be shared with State Secre­tary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK Raymond Knops in The Hague,

The advice from Bonaire. Saba and Statia will he added to the advice from the youth in the Nether­lands who also worked on this “My New World” proj­ect. Their advice will be handed over to Minister of Public Health, Welfare and Sports VWS Hugo de Jonge.

The participating young­sters from the Caribbean Netherlands will discuss their advice with their lo­cal governments and with Knops via a live video con­nection in November. The youngsters will prepare for these conversations by participating in debate and lobby trainings and debate practice sessions with their peers from the other islands.

The “My New World” project is part of the UNICEF Ca­ribbean Netherlands Chil­dren’s Rights Programme, funded by the BZK Minis­try. With this project, UNI­CEF emphasises the impor­tance of enabling children to participate.

“UNICEF believes it is important that children are given opportunities to participate in decision-making processes and that they are prepared to think critically and express their opinions,” said UNICEF Caribbean Netherlands project leader La-Toya Charles.

UNICEF