A groundbreaking youth-focused peacebuilding effort is set to kick off in Antigua next year, as the Rotaract Club of Antigua and its International Service Committee prepare to host the “Peace Starts Here” Youth Peace Initiative. The event is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Rotary House located on Nugent Avenue in St. John’s, and it aims to carve out a deliberate, accessible space for young people across Antigua and Barbuda to unpack critical conversations around peace, conflict resolution, and ethical leadership.
Chaired by Rotarian Dr. Errol Samuel, the interactive session will bring together a diverse cohort of invited guests, including national youth ambassadors and representatives from the CARICOM youth ambassador program. These young leaders will bring on-the-ground perspective to discussions about the most pressing challenges facing young people and local communities across the twin-island nation.
Organizers have outlined a range of core topics tailored to the realities of modern youth life, addressing issues that too often escalate into division and harm. These include the growing prevalence of bullying and cyber-enabled conflict, common interpersonal disputes that can spiral into tension, and the persistent crisis of youth violence. The dialogue will also center on building core skills: intentional communication, empathetic engagement, ethical and responsible leadership, and evidence-based strategies for resolving conflict through peaceful means.
This initiative is not an isolated event, but rather a core component of the Rotaract Club of Antigua’s broader 2026–2027 operational strategy, aligned with its organizational theme “Leading with Heart, Serving with Purpose.” The club has long centered its work on youth civic engagement and grassroots peacebuilding, and this event extends that commitment into actionable, community-centered programming.
Through the “Peace Starts Here” initiative, organizers hope to empower young people to recognize their individual agency in creating more peaceful social environments. From school hallways and family homes to digital social platforms and neighborhood communities, the program emphasizes that every person has a role to play in fostering constructive dialogue, empathetic connection, and nonviolent approaches to disagreement.
To expand the conversation beyond the in-person event, the club is also launching a public engagement campaign inviting young people and all community members to share their perspectives on peace. The campaign asks a simple, provocative question: “What does peace in Antigua and Barbuda mean to you?”, creating an opportunity for broader public input on what a peaceful nation looks like for its residents.
Organizers extended an open invitation to all young people across Antigua and Barbuda, as well as interested members of the general public, to join the conversation. They emphasize that building a more peaceful, cohesive society starts with the small, intentional choices and actions of individual community members – and that this initiative is the first step toward cultivating that collective change.