(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The CARICOM Youth Ambassador (CYA) of Barbados, Chad Blackman was recently presented with the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for outstanding work as a CYA and for contributing to the socio-economic landscape of the country on national, regional and international issues.

The award was presented by Barbadian Prime Minister the Right Honourable Owen Arthur.

Blackman noted that he was extremely pleased to be the first recipient of this prestigious award and proud to be a member of the CYA Programme.

“I am indeed humbled and honoured to serve my country as a CYA,” Blackman said. “I have learned from the many experiences in Barbados and throughout CARICOM. I am driven by the principle ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’ and therefore I feel a sense of obligation to ensure that those I seek to represent have a voice at the national, regional and international levels.”

The 24 year-old has been involved in youth work since the age of eight. He was drawn into this field by the recognition that many of his peers had reservations about articulating solutions to many of the issues around them to those in authority.

“I realised I had the ability to be the conduit between the two entities. As a result I took up the challenge of speaking on behalf of friends and colleagues,” Blackman disclosed.

The Barbadian youth was elected President of the National Youth Council in 2002. He was appointed as a CYA in 2003 and is also a member of the Harrison College School Board, the youngest person to have been elected to the Board.

Blackman is focused on ensuring the two priority areas of the CYAP – HIV/AIDS Awareness and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) – are promoted among young people. He encourages governments to give youth a greater role in national affairs.

“Currently in the Region, young citizens are not necessarily given a wide medium to air their views,” he stressed. “This doesn't only refer to the media, but to that of positions of influence and decision-making at the highest levels. Many youth are consulted after decisions affecting them have been made.”

In commending the Youth Ambassadors Programme, Blackman challenged fellow ambassadors and other leaders to fulfill their roles and obligations.

“Many of our young people lobby for rights to sit at the bargaining table, and when they attain these rights, they do little to nothing with them, thus making it hard for future young citizens to attain such,” he disclosed. “I believe that while we have a right to have a seat at the bargaining table, we also have a responsibility to deliver the goods, ” Blackman said.