Following a historic electoral triumph that secured the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) an unprecedented second consecutive term, the nation’s youth have immediately articulated their expectations for the incoming administration. Young citizens across constituencies including Castries, Vieux Fort, Dennery, and Gros Islet are actively engaging through traditional and social media platforms to evaluate previous governmental performance and outline priority areas requiring attention.
The Youth Economy Agency (YEA) emerges as a cornerstone achievement from the previous term, having distributed grants, training, and business development support to thousands of young entrepreneurs. Kadeem Charles, a 23-year-old photographer, credits the program with transforming his professional trajectory: “The Youth Economy initiative fundamentally reshaped my mindset and enabled self-employment.” However, he and others advocate for expanded program accessibility, particularly addressing application processing delays that have prevented many from receiving support.
Parallel acclaim has been accorded to the Semi-Professional Sports Programme, which has provided structured income and professional validation for athletes. Footballer Renee John, 19, emphasizes how the program has elevated sports from recreational pastime to legitimate career path: “We’re now receiving compensation, professional training, and serious recognition.” Participants are advocating for enhanced infrastructure, coaching resources, and expanded sporting opportunities.
Despite celebrating record-low unemployment rates, young citizens identify violent crime as a persistent concern. University students and young professionals emphasize that economic gains must be complemented by strengthened community safety initiatives. Recommendations include violence prevention programs, youth community centers, and targeted interventions in high-risk neighborhoods.
Employment quality represents another critical focus area. IT graduate Jonathan Auguste, transitioning from a YEA internship, articulates a widespread sentiment: “While grateful for employment opportunities, we seek sustainable careers with competitive compensation and growth potential rather than temporary placements.” Youth are urging government investment in digital economy expansion, creative industries, and specialized tourism sectors that offer long-term professional development.
Underpinning these policy-specific requests is a fundamental demand for inclusive governance. Youth advocate Liyanna Paul, 21, stresses: “Meaningful consultation requires our genuine inclusion in decision-making processes. We possess firsthand experience of contemporary challenges including crime, housing affordability, and cost-of-living pressures.”
The SLP’s electoral mandate provides a robust platform for policy continuation and expansion. Yet as young voter Kadeem Charles summarizes: “We reaffirmed our support through voting based on demonstrated progress. Now we anticipate accelerated advancement across all sectors affecting our futures.”