The Youth Development Division, operating under the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Community Development, has announced that International Youth Day (IYD) 2025 will be observed on Tuesday, August 12. A press release from the Division states that the designated theme for this year is: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.”
This year’s theme emphasizes the role of youth in translating global objectives into community-level actions. The government says that young people are recognized as important contributors in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ways that address local needs while aligning with national and international commitments.
By offering creativity, new perspectives, and strong community connections, they facilitate the implementation of policies at the local level.
Given that over 65 percent of SDG targets are connected to local governance, youth participation is viewed as essential rather than optional.
To commemorate the occasion, Dominica will hold a week-long series of events that commenced on Saturday, August 9 and will end on Friday, August 15, 2025. These activities, states the Division, are aimed at promoting leadership, innovation, and active citizenship among the country’s youth.
Scheduled activities include:
– National Day of Prayer for Youth (August 9-10), involving churches and religious groups across the island
– Online Campaigns and Youth Entrepreneur Spotlights (August 11), highlighting positive stories and initiatives by young people
– Addresses by the Youth Minister and Youth Officers (August 12) on International Youth Day
– Media engagement to showcase youth-driven initiatives and positive actions within Dominica
– Online Youth Messaging Campaign and the opening of Marigot Youth Centre (August 13)
– Digital Summer Camp and Coding Graduation (August 14)
– Summer Camp Volunteers Appreciation Day (August 15)
The Youth Development Division says that it encourages youth, community organizations, and development partners to participate in these events. The goal is to recognize young people’s contributions and provide platforms for their voices, talents, and leadership.
Additionally, youth organizations across Dominica are invited to celebrate in their own ways, supporting the initiatives of the Youth Development Division and organizing activities that reflect their community’s spirit and creativity.
I cannot wait to see what government is going to show to the international world what they have done for young people after 25 years in office and 20 years plus of Roosevelt Skerrit as prime Minister.
As a young person myself I have been thinking hard and deep to see what Skerrit has done for us and honestly speaking the only thing I can see the government has done for us is, they legalized smoking Marijuana for us so we could get a high and stay quiet though the effects of it has caused many young people to quit school and Rome the streets of Roseau paro like hell
Stupes tan. Skerrit and his administration destroyed youth in Dominica and he wants to have youth day?
Mr Skerrit, where in Dominica can I go to see a functioning youth group, youth guide, youth cultural group, under 19 village cricket team or any form of functioning cricket team? Man stop fooling people. We don’t even have functioning cricket teams in our elementary schools like when you were growing up. You killed everything. Oh sorry because we can definitely go to our villages and towns to see the amount of our young people that are paro, on drugs, on alcohol and unemployed thanks to the policies of Skerrit and his administration. In fact I would like us to use the international youth day in the village of PM Skerrit and the Vielle case constituency. What a shame!!
This reactionary, anti-clockwise government just gives lip-service to the youth of Dominica. Their talk about support for the young and impressionable young generation is no more than a hypocritical display of concern for political expediency.
In this age of modernity and technological advancement look at the medieval education system, the sporting facilities or lack thereof, no incentives for entrepreneurial pursuits for young people.
This Roosevelt-led administration can be likened to a fungus/affliction on the young people.