National

Min. Of Youth and Sports Leaders Engaged at Youth on Fire Forum

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Young people from across the region gathered for the Caribbean Development Bank’s Youth FIRE Forum, to tackle issues that matter most to the next generation.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2026

Chinasa Outten

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The Caribbean Development Bank’s 56th Annual General Meeting got underway at the Baha Mar Resort on Wednesday morning, with an opening attended by bank officials and local leaders.

But before the official sessions got underway, young people from across the region gathered for the bank’s Youth FIRE Forum, tackling issues that matter most to the next generation.

The forum was attended by top officials in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Youth from across The Bahamas and the Caribbean came together for the Caribbean Development Bank’s Youth FIRE Forum, a space designed to spark conversation, share ideas, and help shape the future of the region.

Among those in attendance was Sandena Neely, head of the Youth Division at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

She said that forums like this are critical because they give young people the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.

Sandena Neely – Youth Division Head, Ministry of Youth & Sports

“It’s so amazing for them to be able to network and for them to also share ideas. They’re also sharing about opportunities, they’re sharing about failed opportunities, and they have the opportunity to sit and to create outcomes.”

Neely said the conversations happening at the forum go beyond discussion.

She believes that young people are being given a seat at the table and a chance to help influence the region’s future.

Sandena Neely – Youth Division Head, Ministry of Youth & Sports

“As leaders, they’re going to be able to link arms with the Board of Governors to say, this is what we think, these are the strategies that work, this is what doesn’t work, this is how we want to forge forward, as is the theme for this week’s meetings.”

Also attending the forum and serving as a panelist was Minister of Youth and Sports Mario Bowleg.

The minister said hearing directly from young people throughout the Caribbean provided valuable insight and highlighted new ways The Bahamas can continue strengthening its youth programs and policies.

Mario Bowleg – Minister of Youth & Sports

“Just coming off that panel, sitting down there with President Best and also all those young persons from the various Caribbean countries, you learn a lot, you know, and it’s so good. My youth being here, my youth officers also, we took notes on how we can continue to enhance what we do here in The Bahamas.”