In a forward-looking interactive session with students and faculty at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a urgent call to the nation’s emerging young talent: start building the skills and mindset needed to lead the country now, as a generational handover of power is rapidly approaching. Unlike traditional formal lectures from political figures, Browne designed the event to facilitate open, two-way dialogue, inviting students to critically examine the sitting government’s track record and hold leadership accountable to standards of good governance.\n\nBrowne framed the discussion as a hands-on extension of the students’ academic training, telling attendees that they should not hesitate to scrutinize whether the current administration upholds core good governance principles. He emphasized that the long-term trajectory of Antigua and Barbuda hinges entirely on how well young people prepare today to step into senior roles across both the public and private sectors.\n\nThe prime minister pointed to the shifting demographic of the nation’s current ruling class, noting that most sitting government leaders are now in their 50s and 60s, moving into the final phase of their professional careers. An orderly, successful succession of leadership is therefore unavoidable, and young people must be ready to fill those roles when the time comes. Browne connected this generational transition to the government’s broader national “Renaissance” agenda, an initiative aimed at pushing Antigua and Barbuda to new heights of sustainable progress and development.\n\nAt the heart of this long-term development push, Browne stressed, is a commitment to inclusive, equitable governance for all segments of society. He highlighted ongoing social programs that support the nation’s most vulnerable communities as an example of this approach, reminding future leaders that no citizen can be left behind in national progress. He urged ABCAS students to embrace their identity as the country’s emerging leadership cohort, framing them as the next generation of skilled professionals who will steer the nation’s management.\n\nBrowne went beyond academic achievement to outline core non-technical skills that young leaders must cultivate, arguing that technical knowledge alone is insufficient to succeed in top roles. Discipline, confidence, and strong communication abilities are non-negotiable, he explained: even students with exceptional hard skills will struggle to lead if they lack the confidence to communicate clearly and decisively. He also advised students approaching the workforce to prioritize gaining experience, encouraging them to take available roles while working toward their ideal positions, rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity to fall into place.\n\nThis campus engagement is part of a sustained effort by the Antigua and Barbuda government to build connections with young citizens and foster greater youth participation in the country’s ongoing national development work.
PM Tells ABCAS Students They Must Prepare to Lead Antigua and Barbuda’s Next Phase
