Caribbean Youth Development : Issues and Policy Directions

Young people are the basis for the future health and welfare of their communities. Understanding the critical role of young people to the security of sustainable development, 'Caribbean Youth Development' draws attention to both the important contributions youth have made to the Caribbean society and the critical challenges they face in assuming socially responsible and productive roles in the years to come.This report, organized into seven chapters, provides an overview of the risks Caribbean youth are facing as well as evidence of the protective and risk factors underlying the problems confronting youth in the region and an estimation of costs of risky youth behaviors. It also includes an overview of the policy framework and the types of programs in place that target youth. This report advocates the prioritization of youth development across all sectors, and identifies key principles and actions for moving forward.