‘In the Classroom’ tour in St Vincent &The Grenadines putting youth at the fore, says OECS

As the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission marks its 44th anniversary, it has successfully concluded the 2025 edition of the OECS in the Classroom School Tour in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This initiative, shared an OECS release, which took place from June 11 to 12, 2025, aimed to promote regional unity and integration among the youth, who are the future custodians of the OECS Vision.

The OECS in the Classroom School Tour was a collaborative effort between the OECS Commission, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) Caribbean Office, and the OECS Regional Integration for Growth Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) Programme. The Organization reports that the tour is part of its ongoing efforts to engage and empower the youth, as well as promote regional integration and free movement. As stated, key youth engagement efforts of the OECS include the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES) and the inclusion of youth representatives in national dialogue, such as the OECS Council of Ministers: Education.

The 2025 anniversary theme, “Adapting, Innovating, Sustaining: A Unified OECS for a Changing World”, provided a significant backdrop for the student-centered engagements at four secondary schools: the St. Vincent Girls’ High School, Sion Hill Government School, St. Martin’s Secondary School, and Questelles Government School.

Technical officers from the OECS Commission, including Ms. Loverly Anthony, Head of Communications, Dr. Clarence Henry, Head (Ag.) Regional Integration Unit, and Ms. Shekeri Gravillis, Technical Specialist- Regional Integration, led the school tour and facilitated interactive sessions with students. These sessions focused on the work of the OECS, particularly the benefits and opportunities of regional integration and the Free Movement of Persons, which are key pillars of the OECS’ mission.

Actively participating in discussions, the students posed thoughtful questions, and shared their perspectives on the future of the region, according to the press release.

This reportedly fostered an environment of mutual exchange and highlighting the importance of youth voices in shaping a more inclusive and integrated Caribbean.

“The school tour reflects our commitment not just to informing, but to inspiring the next generation,” stated Dr Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS. “By stepping into classrooms and connecting directly with students, we are building awareness and ownership of the OECS vision among our young people.”

The OECS shared that its In the Classroom initiative continues to be a meaningful way to commemorate its anniversary milestones while deepening engagement with youth across Member States. The OECS will continue its 44th anniversary celebrations throughout the month of June with a series of public activities aimed at reinforcing regional solidarity and promoting the contributions of the OECS to the integration and sustainable development of the Eastern Caribbean, as per the OECS press release.