Among the speakers were Michael Joseph from Barbados, Project Coordinator of The UWI Youth Development Project (UWI-YDP); Malene Joseph of Trinidad and Tobago, representing the Global Shapers Community Port of Spain Hub; and Leanna Kalicharan from Guyana, representing the Youth Arm of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Caribbean Chapter.
They put forward several suggestions for attaining this vision of their Caribbean future. These included more dynamic partnerships with a focus on community cooperation and involvement; greater linkages across policy structures, with emphasis on education; and a united Caribbean that has adopted and implemented all 17 SDGs through national policies, with more youth initiatives.
The UWI Director of Development, Mrs. Stacy Richards- Kennedy, explained that The UWI's role in this initiative was aimed at bringing the SDGs more into focus for UWI students, and for Caribbean youth in general.
Project partner, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Richard Blewitt, also reiterated that, "the Goals are not achieved by governments, but by the people, and the youth must become champions of development in their schools, communities and respective countries."
Campaign activities included a photography competition themed "Through the Lens of Caribbean Youth" and a Youth Forum at the Caribbean Action 2030 Conference held at The UWI, Mona in June 2017. Young persons across the Caribbean were invited to submit examples of research and service learning projects addressing development challenges in the Caribbean, which was packaged as a short film and premiered at the Caribbean Action 2030 Conference. It is available on UWItv for viewing on demand at www.uwitv.org.
Ajay Rameshwarsingh : 1st Place - Photography Competition.
Terence Thompson : 2nd Place - Photography Competition.
Shilton Doelatip : 3rd Place - Photography Competition.
Hakeem Thompson: Special mention - Photography Competition.
