The Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) Celebrates International Youth Day 2021
In 2021, the United Nations will convene a Food Systems Summit which aims to launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which are all, in some way, underpinned by the achievement of healthy, sustainable and equitable food systems. Alongside this, this year’s theme for International Youth Day 2021 is Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health aiming to highlight the value of meaningful youth engagement in making these transformative food systems a reality. Read the concept note here
The Healthy Caribbean Youth, the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Youth Subcommittee penned a letter to the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, congratulating her on her recent announcement of the Future Barbados Framework. The Framework, an ambitious 5-year plan, aims to put regional youth at the forefront of various issues, of which a 50% reduction in childhood obesity is included. The young health advocates commit to supporting the implementation of the Future Barbados Framework and look forward to seeing ongoing meaningful youth engagement as an integral component in building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Barbados. Read the letter here.
International Youth Day 2021 Webinar Official Commemoration
Healthy Caribbean Youth would like to take this opportune time to share our thoughts and tips on transformative food systems as well as shine a spotlight on some innovative, enterprising and passionate youth who are already making waves.
Understanding the Food System and Why it Needs to be Improved
Have you ever wondered where your food truly comes from? How far did your food travel to reach your plate? The food system includes all the processes required to feed the population. It starts from the very beginning with farmers growing our foods, to the final step of disposal of food. It can be seen as a soil-to-soil process.
A food system can be very small. For example, having a backyard garden where you grow all your salad-fix-ins: lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes. When preparing your salad, you take a short trip to your backyard to harvest your ingredients. The ingredients are then transported to your kitchen where you prepare and serve your salad. Read more
The Future Talks: Infant and Young Child Nutrition – The First Form of Food Security
Image: Thanks to SPRING for the adaptation and use of this image (Breastfeeding – Breastfeeding 6-9 mo – 02B – Nigeria)
accessed from the USAID/SPRING-UNICEF IYCF Digital Image Bank (iycf.spring-nutrition.org). Commercial use, redistribution, or selling of these images and materials is prohibited.
Why Are Youth Who Have Never Breastfed Passionate About Protecting Breastfeeding in Antigua and Barbuda?
The answer is simple. We believe that protecting breastfeeding is everybody’s business! The theme for last week’s World Breastfeeding Week, “Protect Breastfeeding: a Shared Responsibility” encompasses the approach that we have taken as members of the National Breastfeeding Committee in Antigua and Barbuda. Read more
WHYFARM – Shifting the Agricultural Focus to Youth
Youth continue to prove that they have a right to have a seat at the table when discussing the build back better blueprint for our region. Their strategic thinking and ultimate desire to collaborate for effective and sustainable change is what is needed to build back and achieve the 2030 sustainable development goals.
At the beginning of COVID, the issue of food security shook our region; our dependency on others for food was glaring. However, the predicament shed light on existing commendable and innovative regional initiatives that address this issue. One of these initiatives is WHYFARM – (We Help You-th Farm), a not-for-profit organization based in Trinidad and Tobago focused on promoting the importance of sustainable agriculture among youth and children. WHYFARM was founded by Alpha Sennon, a young, millennial agripreneur. Read more
All About Apiculture – How This Barbadian Youth Turned Busy Backyard Visitors Into a Sweet Side Hustle
In this interview we chat with Graham Belle, an avid apiculturist who tells us about this unique hobby. Graham is a photographer by profession and involved in various youth organisations in Barbados. Read more
The Most Sustainable Food Model for the Caribbean
The term ‘sustainable’ has become the new buzzword for many food companies trying to appeal to a generation of consumers who have become far more savvy about the industry than executives could have ever imagined; we want to know what’s in our food, where was it made, who’s made it and above all at what expense to our environment. Our generation of Caribbean citizens are striving to take ‘sustainability’ from an ambiguous, idealistic marketing ploy into actionable, accountable practices which will allow us to inherit a Caribbean society that treats our natural environment and our people, our most valued resources, with the reverence they deserve. However, the question arises: What does a sustainable food system look like and is it achievable in a Caribbean context? (Spoiler alert: it most definitely is!) This article will look at ways in which both consumers and producers can strive towards the sustainable development of the food and agricultural sector we all so desperately want to achieve. Read more
From Yard to Table – Strengthening Household Food Security in Antigua and Barbuda?
The Backyard Gardening (BYG) project was a four-week long initiative in Antigua and Barbuda with a social media component, funded by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) Prevention and Care Project. The BYG project aimed to encourage the growth and consumption of locally-grown, healthier foods such as a variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs, for persons living with diabetes and other vulnerable groups.
By promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable practices, this project intended to improve household and local food security and mitigate potential disruptions or threats to the global and imported food supply that may arise during and post-COVID-19. The availability of healthier foods right in one’s own backyard can facilitate better eating choices and low-cost diets for persons living with diabetes, who are among those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 infection and for households with financial limitations. Read more
Healthy Caribbean Youth Launch New Series
Healthy Caribbean Youth, the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition is launching a series of articles called “The Future Talks: A Future for our Caribbean’s Children?
Inspired by the global report A Future For the World’s Children?, the Future Talks series will explore Caribbean health issues through the lenses of Caribbean youth. Read more
The Future Talks: A Future for Our Caribbean’s Children? – Spotlight on the Rights of the Child
Children are repeatedly described as “the future” whether in political discourse, popular songs or just among the general population. Yet, children’s rights are not often prioritised in decision making, even when children’s health and wellbeing and by extension, the future, depends on such. In fact, this particular tranche of the population, including those up to 18-years-old, are often excluded from participating in decision-making processes, even when an appropriate age and maturity level has been reached. Read more
Main Photo: Yensa Worth