The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, QC, invites Caribbean youth to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges as The University of the West Indies hosts a Town Hall meeting at its Regional Headquarters, Mona, Jamaica on Friday 8 July, 2016. The special event which begins at 4:00 pm (Jamaica time), will also be livestreamed via http://live.mona.uwi.edu.

According to Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland “The world is facing enormous challenges; we need you to be part of the solution.” As a platform, 33Sixty is an initiative of the Commonwealth Secretary-General in collaboration with Common Purpose. This leadership programme equips aspiring Commonwealth leaders (aged 18-30) with the skills and the networks to make a difference, now. The programme derives its name from the fact that 33% of the world’s population live in the Commonwealth, and 60% of those are under 30. 

The 33Sixty Jamaica edition of the programme, which takes place at The UWI Mona Campus from July 5-8 is centred around a global challenge, based on Goal #11 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: “What can our generation of the Commonwealth do now to make our cities more inclusive and safe by 2030?” Participants will be immersed in a series of activities to understand some of the world’s most pressing issues and work in groups to develop solutions.

The Friday 8 July Town Hall brings the week to a close; giving participants the chance to present their ideas to a panel of senior leaders and stakeholders, including the Secretary-General as she searches for exciting new initiatives to champion on the global stage.

Youth across the Caribbean will also have the opportunity to join the conversation via social media, using the event hashtag #33Sixty. Participating in 33Sixty gives our Youth a forum to have theirs voice heard at the highest levels of a global institution, and the ability to make a difference to their community, the Commonwealth and wider world. 

True to its vision to recreate the Activist University, The UWI is pleased to be a partner in the novel youth leadership programme.