Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. Amery Browne, convened a meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters with officials from the US Agency for International Development of the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC) on Wednesday.
The delegation, spearheaded by Ambassador Candace A. Bond of the United States of America to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago comprised a cadre of notable individuals including Ryan Assiu, Climate Finance Specialist at USAID/ESC; Courtney Brown, Deputy Chief of Party for the Youth Resilience, Inclusion, and Empowerment (Y-RIE) program; Anika Smith, Operations Director of Y-RIE; and Marlon Bascombe, Trinidad and Tobago Country Director of Y-RIE.
Fostering collaboration for youth development
The crux of the discussions revolved around bolstering collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and USAID, with a particular focus on initiating the operational phases of the Y-RIE program within Trinidad and Tobago’s borders.
This program, once fully operational, aims to tackle the alarming rates of interpersonal crime and violence among youth, especially targeting vulnerable young men aged 15 to 29 susceptible to criminal activities and deviant behaviors.
Insights from other territories
During the deliberations, the Y-RIE delegation shed light on ongoing programs in Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Guyana, highlighting their endeavors to enhance the provision of social services, deliver targeted education, impart market-relevant skills, and notably, provide essential psychosocial support to youth grappling with trauma and in dire need of mental health care and healing.
Additionally, the program seeks to fortify family and community structures to amplify support for youth and foster safer environments within communities.
A pledge of commitment
The exchange proved both informative and fruitful, culminating with Minister Browne reaffirming the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to facilitating essential engagements between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and USAID.
This commitment is underpinned by the overarching objective of ensuring the seamless implementation of the Y-RIE program within the nation, heralding a new era of empowerment and resilience for Trinidad and Tobago’s youth.
