The 11th UNESCO Youth Forum

The 11th UNESCO Youth Forum took place in Paris, 18-19 November 2019 under the theme “ Youth Spaces in Action”. The primary aim of this forum was to facilitate experience and knowledge sharing gained from youths who have collaborated with UNESCO on various youth led projects and initiatives.

Mikiela Gonzales, Jamaica’s representative was among those selected to present their project during “Project Market. She presented the CARE project which has been done in collaboration with JNC-UNESCO for the past 2-3 years. Creating Awareness through Revolutionary Entertainment (CARE) is an initiative which uses the performing arts to speak about relevant youth issues such as mental health, financial education, human trafficking, climate change, crime and youth, child abuse among many others.

From her experience at this forum she recommended:
1. Jamaica could have a local youth forum prior to youth representatives being sent to this youth forum. It could have a similar order of activities and overall organization to allow for many to receive the exposure to what it feels like to be at Youth Forum.
2. Jamaica could choose one other country to partner with on a project in an effort to pioneer the idea of sustainable networking.