Over the last 73 years, since our inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies has been an acknowledged national and international leader in research, teaching, and public service. We have been and continue to be an activist university committed to offering quality higher education and to the advancement of sustainable development for this Region.
The UWI is also about building the capacity of our people to create positive change. For that reason, we are delighted to be spearheading this Youth Speak UP initiative.
There is no question that the future of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean lies squarely in the hands of our Youth.
This project is important because it will help create a cadre of articulate young people with the skills and capacity for leadership and advocacy; young people who understand the importance of accountability and respect for all, especially within a diverse culture; young men and women who will accept that personal and professional integrity is critical for a just society.
I wish the very best to all involved: the organisers, the participants, and the partner institutions. On behalf of The UWI, I thank the European Union in Trinidad and Tobago for recognising the solid worth of the Youth Speak UP project and for wholeheartedly throwing their financial and human resource support behind it. I very much look forward to its outputs and outcomes.
Thank you.