A leading youth advocacy figure from Antigua and Barbuda has embarked on a prestigious global learning opportunity focused on advancing equity and justice for marginalized African descendant communities worldwide. Janet Simon, who holds dual roles as Antigua and Barbuda’s designated CARICOM Youth Ambassador and the elected Dean of the entire CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps, is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, participating in a specialized fellowship run by the United Nations human rights apparatus. The official announcement of her participation came directly from Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Youth Affairs, confirming her selection to the highly competitive Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent. This annual, globally recognized initiative is tailored specifically for emerging community leaders of African descent from across the global diaspora who have already demonstrated a track record of grassroots work advocating for the civil, social and human rights of their communities. Over the course of the programme, Simon and her fellow cohort members will receive rigorous, specialized training covering core tenets of international human rights law, the full structural architecture of the UN human rights ecosystem, and evidence-based global policy frameworks designed to confront and eradicate systemic racism, structural racial discrimination, xenophobia, and all forms of associated intolerant behavior. Beyond theoretical learning, the fellowship delivers first-hand, immersive access to the inner workings of UN human rights oversight mechanisms and the day-to-day operational priorities of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Participants also receive targeted practical skill-building sessions to strengthen their ability to draft actionable, community-focused project proposals and deliver compelling, policy-informed public presentations to amplify their advocacy work long after the programme concludes.
Antigua and Barbuda youth ambassador attends UN human rights fellowship in Geneva
