Keigon Denoon and Renee Atwell were appointed by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs as T&T’s Caricom Youth Ambassadors, effective August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022.
The CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme aims to deepen the levels of youth participation and partnership in regional integration and national development.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe received her instrument of appointment Denoon at a small ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister, Central Administrative Services of Tobago, Scarborough on Thursday while Atwell collected hers from Minister Cudjoe at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs Head Office, St Clair yesterday.
The programme creates a regional network of young Caribbean nationals mandated by Caricom Heads of Governments to advocate for and educate young people about regional priorities such as HIV and AIDS, Entrepreneurship, and the Caricom Single Market and Economy.
They perform a dual role, addressing youth issues at the national level within a regional strategic framework, as well as bringing national issues to the attention of the Region’s policy makers and planners.
The Ministry invited submissions from eligible persons from 18 to 25 years old. A committee from the Youth Affairs Division facilitated the collating and short-listing process from the 74 applications received.
Denoon and Atwell were chosen based on a rigorous selection process which included an assessment of their youth group involvement, community affiliation and their performance at an interview.