The Caribbean Community Secretariat, in collaboration with the Organisation of American States, is hosting a regional meeting on integrated approach to youth enterprise and Employment in Barbados October 7-9, 1997. The meeting will be attended by approximately seventy persons representing governments, Non Governmental Organisations and regional and international agencies.

The meeting takes place against the background of the May 1996 CARICOM Consultation on a Regional Youth Policy, the OAS/CARICOM Caribbean Youth Start Plan, and the Community's 1997 programme of work for youth development.

The primary objective of the meeting is to sensitise participants to and fine tune the strategy for implementing a Caribbean Youth Enterprise and Employment Project. This project envisages the establishment of service, coordination, information and other networks at national and regional levels.

Highlights of the meeting will include launching of a Youth website, an exhibition of items produced by youth entrepreneurs and launching of a video on exemplary youth organisations. The agenda includes practically oriented working sessions on the following: gender and development; fund raising; developing networks and cloning success; and project development. The meeting is also supported by the United Nations Youth Fund.