Call to Action, Ready Set Great 2021 – Youth Summit on Crime & Violence

We, the youth delegates and presenters of the virtual Youth Summit on Crime & Violence convened this 21st day of September – World Peace Day, and 22^nd day of September in the year 2021,

In acknowledging that youth stand at the epicenter of the epidemic of Crime and Violence in Caribbean nations;

That our age group is in possession of underutilized insight, skills, networks and non-traditional resources to contribute to interventions addressing citizen safety and security in pursuit of stronger emphasis on crime prevention,

And consistent with United Nations Resolution 2250 that asserts that young women and young men have a critical role in promoting and maintaining international peace and security,

Hereby Call For:

More structured and consistent support from stakeholders in government, private sector and civil society to aid youth groups and organizations with human, technical and financial resources to support community projects that address crime prevention, with emphasis on citizen security and safety, thus contributing to a more peaceful Caribbean society.
The creation of more spaces for youth to meaningfully engage and participate in decision-making that affect them, especially in relation to youth rights as well as crime, violence and peacebuilding.
Highlighting and rewarding youth groups and organizations which are actively engaging in programmes and services that tackle the roots of crime and address the issues of marginalized, vulnerable and at-risk populations – paving the way for exposure and normalization of positive youth-led citizen security and safety interventions.
Strengthening investments by government and private sector in youth advocacy to promote the role of young people as positive agents of change and key partners for peace and prevention of all forms of violence.
Strengthening and expansion of cooperation between private and public training programs for youth at risk, emphasizing marketable skills, entrepreneurship and social skills.
Expansion of youth empowerment, resocialization and behavioural intervention programmes for youth at risk, youth in gangs and youth convicted of crimes.
Establishment of a National Knowledge Sharing and Empowerment Network on Peace, Crime prevention and Citizen Safety and Security for youth organizations to systematize best practices in youth-led community-based crime prevention methods, provide mentorship, crime prevention micro grant funding and other resources and opportunities to youth-led organizations. The network could be a product of institutional arrangements already in place through existing collaboration between the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education Youth and Information and could be further strengthened by the inclusion of select private and civil society organizations.
Strengthening, developing, and adapting anti-bullying and safety training programs as well as creating accessible resources and programs for parents and teachers to help address bullying in schools and communities.
Evaluating, reassessing and implementing better programs for rehabilitation of youths at risk in schools; and where applicable provide alternative rehabilitation methods for students in cases where the programmes have been ineffective.
Strengthening the promotion of youth entrepreneurship as a viable career option and strengthening youth entrepreneurship education in school curricula and relevant clubs and societies.
Expansion of business incubator hubs for young entrepreneurs which provides mentorship and support services for establishing businesses and entry into markets.
Engaging youth at risk in fostering entrepreneurship ideas by establishing business creation hubs that address community problems with viable business and social enterprise solutions.
Increased access to financing for micro business startups led by youth in high- risk communities.
Government and private sector investments in youth advocacy to promote the role of young people as positive agents of change and key partners for peace and prevention of all forms of violence.

CALLS TO ACTION FROM EACH PANEL

1. Panel Call to Action 1 – guidance to greatness

Bully Proof, Called to Lead, NPYCCJ call for

1.1 Schools to adopt antibullying and safety training programs as well as creating accessible resources and programs for parents and teachers to help with bullying. Private & government sectors to support or sponsor anti bullying projects in schools.

1.2 Greater collaboration and partnership between the Government and youth organizations to address bullying as well as to develop anti-bullying policies.

1.3 Evaluation, reassessment and implementation of better programs for rehabilitation of youths at risk in schools, and where applicable, provide alternative rehabilitation methods for youths in schools that currently may be ineffective.

Panel Call to Action 2 – Keep yuh self in Check

Every Mikkle Foundation, Total Health Services Call For:

2.1 Partnership with governmental agencies and private sector businesses to sponsor and provide monetary donations for the distribution of more fire kits; the implementation of fire safety education in the public education system to better safeguard citizens.

2.2 The utilization of community groups to recruit members to further spread fire safety education

2.3 Liaising with government and private sector organizations such as the Jamaica Island Nutrition Network (JINN) to provide nutrition screening and recommendations.

2.4 Partnership with Victim Support Division to provide counselling for abused individuals.

Panel Call to Action 3 – breaking down the barriers

YIPCJA, Youths for Excellence, Youth for Development Network call For:

3.1 Government and private sector investment in youth advocacy to promote the role of young people as positive agents of change and key partners for peace and prevention of all forms of violence.

3.2 Provision of adequate and sustainable financial resources and funding to support youth organization projects and initiatives focused on violence prevention.

3.3 Expansion of youth programs that offer real opportunities for mentoring and skill development.

3.4 Greater investment in long-term approaches to support youth empowerment for sustainable development and peace.

Panel Call to Action 4 – Fostering local Entrepreneurship as a Violence Prevention Method

I-SEEED Youth, YWOP/YMOP, Norwood CDC Call For:

4.1 A business creation hub for young entrepreneurs and incentives for business startups that includes the information on the ‘how-to for business creation’.

4.2 Promotion of youth entrepreneurship in schools through clubs and school curriculums as a viable career option, especially where they can be engaged in fostering entrepreneurship ideas. – eg. tackling community problems that could be addressed through business solutions.

4.3 Action to secure the future of our youths and our nations through job training, skills, social and community enhancements and intervention; for example to facilitate mentorship of previously incarcerated youths within the community to promote peace.

4.4 Both the private and public sector to become more community centric by investing in community programs and making provision for the workshops and activities of youth organizations to be properly supported and executed.