This year’s theme for International Youth Day, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, emphasises equipping young people with critical tools spanning digital and AI literacy, problem-solving, and their role as co-creators of sustainable development.

UNDP Resident Representative Ugo Blanco says that amid challenges such as uncertainty about the future and employment, it is understandable that young people want greater control over planning their futures.

“We, the UNDP team, went around the country, visited many communities – Siparia, Couva, Tobago – and we listened to the youth. And the question was what’s the TT we want… what’s the goal? How does Trinidad and Tobago look like in the future? Because once we have the goal, we can draw the path to get there and decide what to do right here and right now.”