New Caricom Youth Ambassador puts mental health, jobs on agenda

Janet Simon of Antigua and Barbuda has been appointed Dean of the Caricom Youth Ambassador Corps, with youth mental health, nutrition and employment among the priorities she intends to advance during her tenure.

Simon assumed the regional post on September 1, 2026, and said her experience working with young people across the Caribbean has highlighted the need for stronger support systems, particularly in mental health and nutrition.

“I am honoured to serve as Dean of the Caricom Youth Ambassador Corps,” Simon said. “My work with young people across the Region has shown me the urgent need to strengthen youth mental health support and nutrition.”

She said she wants to help change how young people access services by empowering their peers to take leadership roles.

Simon’s agenda also includes nutrition education, prevention of non-communicable diseases, peace, life skills development and creating pathways to employment.

The Caricom Secretariat said the objective is to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and support needed to become active citizens and contribute to shaping the future of the Caribbean Community.

Michele Small-Bartley, Programme Manager for Youth Development at the Caricom Secretariat, welcomed Simon’s appointment, describing her as someone with a strong passion for youth development and service.

Small-Bartley said Simon’s interest in mental health advocacy and her proposed approaches could help strengthen the voice, visibility and participation of Caricom Youth Ambassadors across the Region.

Simon is a trained educator and Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador with experience in youth advocacy, education and peacebuilding. Her work covers several of the Sustainable Development Goals, including health, education, sanitation, climate action and peace.

In Antigua and Barbuda, she is known for a national school tour through which she delivers life-skills education to thousands of students. She also leads the “Peace through Art” series and conducts capacity-building workshops for youth organisations.

Simon is a member of Healthy Caribbean Youth, where she advocates for comprehensive school nutrition and mental health policies.

Her advocacy has also taken her to international forums, including the World Bank and the United Nations, where she has raised issues affecting Caribbean youth.

As Dean, Simon is expected to use that regional and international experience to push youth-focused priorities across Caricom, particularly around health, skills development, peace and access to employment opportunities.