Jamaica Empowers Youth Voices to Shape Sustainable Development Agenda at the United Nations

March 23, 2026   KINGSTON, Jamaica

Students from across Jamaica made history by contributing their creative voices to the nation’s sustainable development journey through the “Jamaica’s Young Voices: SDG Creative Expression Competition.” One of the winning pieces developed for the competition will be used on the cover of Jamaica’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the United Nations this July, representing a moment of youth participation in national development reporting.

The initiative was made possible through a strategic partnership of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the agency with lead responsibility for sustainable development, the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information that has direct responsibility for all public education institutions across the island, with a mandate to formulate, implement and assess all government policies in relation to the education system at all levels,  and e-Learning Jamaica, the government organization dedicated to strengthening learning through information and communication technology.

At the recognition ceremony held in Kingston on March 19, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Dr Wayne Henry said that the initiative is a tangible demonstration of Jamaica’s commitment to inclusive development by integrating youth perspectives into the country’s official report on progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

   “When Jamaica presents its VNR at the UN High-Level Political Forum in July 2026, the first image that all will see will be a vision of sustainability created by young Jamaican students. Additionally, excerpts from winning creative writing submissions will be featured throughout the report, ensuring that youth voices are woven into Jamaica’s account of its development challenges and aspirations,” Dr Henry said.

Mr. Andrew Lee, chief executive officer of e-Learning Jamaica, highlighted the exceptional resilience and creativity shown by students, particularly following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Mr. Lee stated, “Consistent with Goal 9, we’re also building resilience, resilience in our technology infrastructure. Since Hurricane Melissa, we’ve been providing schools with resilient satellite broadband internet connectivity. By the end of March, we would have installed 150 Starlink devices to schools in the affected parishes, and next fiscal year which starts April 1, we intend to deploy a further 150. And here is where it gets even more resilient, e-Learning Jamaica will be providing matching solar-powered electricity to these schools, helping to ensure that teaching and learning can continue even after severe weather events.”

The competition launched in September 2025, invited students in grades 4 through 13 to express their understanding of the SDGs through two creative tracks.

Track1 –  The Jamaica 2030 Plus Vision Stories, which challenged students to write creative narratives imagining Jamaica beyond 2030, and how the nation could achieve and surpass the SDGs. Track 2 – The VNR Cover Design Challenge, invited students to create original artwork representing Jamaica’s sustainable development story.

For Track 1 –  The VNR Cover Design Challenge first-place winners were Paris Warner of Mona Prep at the primary level, Bryce Wilson of Campion College for lower secondary, and Akelia Josephs of Seaforth High for upper secondary.

In Track 2: Jamaica 2030 Plus Vision Stories, top honours were awarded to Nadisha Byfield of Christel House in the primary division, Blake Wilson of Campion College for lower secondary, and Haley Clarke of York Castle High for upper secondary.

The judges noted that the participants demonstrated a sound understanding of national challenges—from climate change to economic opportunity—and provided a blueprint of hope and innovation that will guide Jamaica beyond 2030.

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