UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

PRESS RELEASE
CariSECURE 2.0 Equipping Youth to Take Charge Against Crime

Bridgetown, 9 April, 2024 – Amidst rising concerns over citizen security in the Caribbean, a deliberate
effort is being made to empower the region's youth to step into leadership roles and drive change from
within. Through a free, online course by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in
partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), youth will be
equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle pressing security challenges head-on.

The "Youth on the way to Peace and Security" course is being launched regionally as part of
CariSECURE 2.0 (CS2.0), which works to reduce youth involvement in crime and trafficking in persons
(TIP) in the region. It will run from 16 April – 3 May, with support from InfoSegura.

This course comes at a crucial time when security issues like crime and violence are on the rise in the
Caribbean. By the end of the course, participants will have improved understanding of regional security
challenges, enhanced leadership skills, and greater opportunity to network with peers and experts around
the region, empowering them to take leadership roles in regional conversations and citizen security
activities.

Maia Hibben, Project Manager for CariSECURE 2.0, underscored the significance of engaging young
people in matters of citizen security. " Throughout the life of our project, input from young people has
been invaluable," she said. "Whether it be helping to craft national workplans to reduce crime, developing
a roadmap for youth empowerment in the Caribbean, or creating digital solutions to improve crime
reporting as planned for this year, youth have proven that their perspectives are indispensable. This course
is just another way for youth to strengthen their skills to address regional security challenges."

By building capacity of young leaders to address security challenges and promote social cohesion, the
course contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16, towards Peace, Justice, and
Strong Institutions.

The course will offer lessons in the current mechanisms that impact youth decision making, insight into
youth citizen security challenges in the Caribbean, and give practical guidance on the positive roles
participants can play in conflict resolution, with complementary webinars, podcasts and practical
resources tailored to the English-speaking Caribbean. It is free of charge and open to participants from all
backgrounds, regardless of age, nationality, or level of experience. A certificate will be awarded upon
completion.

Register for the course by 15 April: escuelavirtualpnud.org/login/index.php?lang=en

United Nations Development Programme | UN House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church, Barbados | Tel: 467-6000
Fax: 429-2448 | E-mail: registry.bb@undp.org | Website: www.undp.org/barbados
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

PRESS RELEASE
For media queries: Denyce Blackman - denyce.blackman@undp.org

***
CariSECURE 2.0 - Strengthening Evidence Based Decision Making for Citizen Security in the Caribbean, is a
component of USAID’s Youth Empowerment Services (YES) project and is made possible by the support of the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the technical assistance of the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The goal of the CariSECURE project is to improve youth crime
and violence policymaking and programming in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean through the use of
quality, comparable and reliable national citizen security information.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and
climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to
build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org/barbados or follow us at
@UNDPBarbadosEC. at @UNDP.

United Nations Development Programme | UN House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church, Barbados | Tel: 467-6000
Fax: 429-2448 | E-mail: registry.bb@undp.org | Website: www.undp.org/barbados