The Government of Jamaica
The National Youth Policy was officially established in 1994 as the first comprehensive policy on youth development. The draft policy which was developed in 1985 and the subsequent Vision of Youth Paper (1992) created the path for the format on of the Policy. The National Youth Policy was deemed important because of the ‘need for an institutional focal point to ensure effective coordination of and collaboration on youth related programmes and research.’ Since 1994, the Policy has been revised twice with the 2017-2030 document as the most recent.
Shaped by the National Action Plan: Vision 2030 Jamaica, the National Youth Policy is designed to foster:
“a nurturing and secure environment in which youth thrive and become empowered, achieve their full potential and understand their roles and responsibilities in making meaningful contribution to national development.”
Currently, there are 6 Priority Areas/Goals in the National Youth Policy (2017 – 2030) that are required to adequately contribute to the development of our nation’s youth:
Improved Access to Quality Secondary and Tertiary Education and Vocational Training Opportunities
Increase Youth Access to Sexual, Reproductive and Mental Health Care Services
Increase Youth Access to Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Maximize Youth Participation in National and Political Decision-Making
Professionalization and Strengthening of the Youth Sector
Improved Access to Quality Secondary and Tertiary Education and Vocational Training Opportunities
Increase Youth Access to Sexual, Reproductive and Mental Health Care Services
Increase Youth Access to Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Maximize Youth Participation in National and Political Decision-Making
Minimize the Number of At-Risk and Vulnerable Youth
Professionalization and Strengthening of the Youth Sector
Minimize the Number of At-Risk and Vulnerable Youth