Senator Michael Freeland has called on Antigua and Barbuda’s newly appointed National and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors to view their roles as a “covenant of service” rather than a ceremonial title, urging them to be purposeful, results-driven leaders who bridge the gap between youth aspirations and real change.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Urban and Social Transformation Rawdon Turner, Freeland addressed the group under the theme _Empowering Youth to Self-Actualize_. He told the appointees they were not only the voice of young people, but also “the eyes that see possibilities, the hands that embrace and build solutions, the ears that hear the issues and challenges on the ground, and the feet that will go where change is needed most.”

Outlining the scope of their responsibilities, Freeland said National Youth Ambassadors should play an active role in shaping policy on issues ranging from gender equality and poverty eradication to climate change, health, education, and youth crime. As CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, he urged them to champion regional integration, engage with leaders, participate in regional initiatives, and collaborate with youth across the Caribbean to tackle shared challenges and seize opportunities.

Freeland challenged the ambassadors to produce results that are “relevant in the now, strategic in the medium term, and transformative in the long term,” stressing the importance of leaving the Youth Ambassador Corps “better, stronger, and more respected” than they found it. He urged them to rise above political and social divides, forge partnerships across sectors, and create initiatives that could inform national and regional policy.

Quoting an African proverb, he reminded them: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” and encouraged them to run their leg of leadership “with courage, creativity, and conviction.”

“This is not the culmination of your journey; it is the ignition point,” Freeland told the ambassadors. “Be relevant. Be impactful. Be unforgettable.”