A new chapter of youth representation in Caribbean governance has opened after 22-year-old youth advocate Shaquan O’Neil was appointed to the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda, earning formal congratulations and historic recognition from the United Nations Youth Advisory Group.
O’Neil, who already serves as both a member of the UN Youth Advisory Group and Antigua and Barbuda’s National Youth Ambassador, has built a years-long track record of amplifying the priorities and perspectives of young people across the Caribbean region. Following the country’s April 30 general election, he was selected to fill a seat in the Upper House as part of the newly formed government’s Senate lineup.
In an official statement, the UN Youth Advisory Group highlighted the milestone nature of O’Neil’s appointment, noting that it marks a breakthrough for bringing youth voices directly to the highest tiers of national decision-making. The organization praised O’Neil’s consistent leadership, his unwavering commitment to public service, and his track record of centering youth needs in advocacy work. It also expressed firm confidence that he will build on his past work to continue inspiring and lifting up young communities across the entire Caribbean region.
O’Neil’s selection has drawn significant attention across Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean, driven both by his status as a young leader entering national office and his well-documented history of centering youth issues in public life. The appointment is being widely watched as a test case for greater youth inclusion in regional governance.