Leadership from the Inside Out: The Youth Leadership Capacity Building Workshop

The Division of Youth Affairs’ Youth Development Programme, in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, hosted a special Youth Leadership Capacity Building Workshop titled ‘Leadership from the Inside Out’ on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 at the Barbados Hilton Hotel from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ‘Leadership from the Inside Out’ was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training and the National Student Council.

The initiative sought to strengthen the school-based, youth-led organisation by encouraging civic engagement and establishing long-term leadership structures in schools and, by extension, communities. Participants, who represented student councils from various secondary schools across Barbados, received practical training and networking opportunities to help them become effective change agents on their journey.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional speakers who captivated and informed the students on topics that address contemporary challenges and opportunities in youth leadership. Ms. Ashley Lashley delivered an insightful presentation on CARICOM and CXC examinations, exploring the qualities and aspirations that define ‘the Ideal Caribbean Person’. Mr. Rivelino Simmon inspired the audience with his presentation titled “Empowering Youth: Navigating AI’s Role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” where he discussed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on society and the importance of youth engagement in this technological shift. Mr. Asher Jones-Clarke provided valuable knowledge on “Financial Literacy for Youth Leaders: Building Sustainable Wealth,” equipping young leaders with essential skills to manage their finances and create lasting wealth. Lastly, Mr. Ryan Lewis took the floor with an interactive session called “Youth as Peacemakers: Emotional Intelligence in Conflict Resolution,” highlighting how young people can play a pivotal role in fostering peace within their communities by effectively understanding and managing emotions.

This Youth Leadership Capacity Building Workshop is the third installation in this Youth Development Programme series.