Imagine if youth had a tool that allowed us to improve our lives while shaping the development of our country. What if this tool was simply us speaking our minds on topics of importance to us?
In Barbados, the Ministry of Youth and Community Empowerment and UNICEF are making this possible through U-Report- a simple application that allows you text or tweet your opinions for free on any topic. In a world that often refers to its young people as tomorrow’s leaders, U-Report positions youth as the leaders of today, by making our voices matter.
U-Report presents an exciting opportunity for Barbadian youth to identify problems within our communities as well as be in the position to present solutions. Through a poll-like feature, that poses questions on relevant issues, youth can share their opinions and experiences based on their own reality where they live. From identifying issues with access to education to presenting solutions to curb violence, the possibilities are endless as responses to specially crafted questions can provide the insight needed to improve policies that directly impact people at the most grassroots level.
As a small island developing state, Barbados has tremendous potential packed within its lush vegetation and tropical landscape. However, interwoven in the fabric of this paradise is youth who care deeply about the developmental challenges that result in limited resources, poverty, and inequalities that affect us all. U-Report presents an opportunity to capture what youth feel and think on these issues in a way that is both meaningful and impactful. The information gathered through U-Report can improve how those within positions of influence make decisions and distribute resources. No other platform has the potential to be as influential in positioning the voices of youth to be heard while channeling information back to policy-makers and youth themselves so that action can be taken.
Important, pressing and relevant issues like youth unemployment, access to quality education and community violence may be some of the areas that Barbadian youth can express their thoughts and opinions on when U-Report launches.
