UWI Youth Development Programme (UWI-YDP)    

IMPACTING CARIBBEAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The UWI-Youth Development Programme (UWI-YDP) focuses on providing a proponent of youth development initiatives to address the development challenges of the region’s youth through the implementation of key interventions targeting persons between the ages of 15-35. The UWI-YDP operates in the 17 territories served by The UWI and represents the University's commitment to impact the global youth development agenda.


The work of the UWI-YDP consists of primarily project development and implementation as it lends its efforts to regional development through capacity building and advocacy. The UWI-YDP develops interventions to address the region’s youth in collaboration with regional civil society, governments, international organisations and development agencies focused on improving the socioeconomic realities of the region’s youth. Its initiatives are designed to confront mainstream youth issues in every sector of society, with focus on sustainable development areas including:

  • Economic participation
  • Health and Wellness
  • Governance
  • Research and Policy
  • Education and Skills Development
(l-r) Mr Kevin Manning, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI Vice-Chancellor and Mr Michael Joseph, respond to audience feedback at the launch of The UWI’s Youth Development Programme (UWI-YDP).

Its vision is "To be an agent of youth development, which responds to the needs of the youth and youth organisations within the Caribbean, and serve as a strategic body for the guidance of youth development organisations throughout the Caribbean region".

The UWI-YDP represents a core part of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles’ vision to rekindle an activist university.

Speaking at the project’s launch on August 12, 2016, The UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles highlighted the severe need for a youth empowerment force within the Caribbean noting the resurgence of young people engaged in the national political discourse.

The UWI owns its responsibility to the next generation and intends to take up the challenge to provide youth with the keys to their own future. - Professor Sir Hilary Beckles


Contact us

For more information about The UWI-YDP, please contact:
Michael Joseph, Project Officer (Project Planning & Development)
or Kevin Manning, Project Officer (The Ambassadorial Corps & External Affairs)
or Damani Parris, Project Officer (Internal Affiars & Operations)
Tel: (246) 417-4000 ext. 4025.