MESSAGE & ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNING TEAM

UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE, DENISE E ANTONIO

DAY 5, Ready Reset Recharge Webinar series on UNDP’s special COVID Report & Development Challenge Pitch Competition

Friday, July 10, 12 noon – 2 p.m. via ZOOM

Good afternoon and welcome to all delegates who are Ready to Reset the agenda for proactive youth action on the COVID pandemic and Charged with renewed determination to triumph in the midst of global adversity which can be the gateway to new global opportunities. It has been an honour and privilege for UNDP to work with the dynamic representatives of eight youth groups and dozens of delegates joining us on Zoom and social media every day since the 6^th of July. The partnership with SALISES has been truly amazing and I am sure that this will continue in the future. You made it to Day 5 of our epic webinar series, ‘Ready Reset Recharge’. You have taken inspiration from UNDP’s special report on COVID 19 but charted your own path that is appropriate to your priorities and context.

Guided by you, we have brought the concepts in the COVID report to life with experts in their field, and barrier breakers making bold and unusual steps to make a difference. You have selected three themes from the COVID report for future advocacy action: (1) Enabling environment for Jobs and Skills of the future; (2) leveraging your networks and resources to support youth in preparing for future climate and pandemic shocks; (3) digital access for all to break inequalities in education.

These three platforms, given considerable weight in your draft Ready Reset Recharge Resolution will establish a solid advocacy agenda for future action by all youth represented here today. UNDP gives you our word that we will stand with you as you push for policy and behavioural change designed to get young people suitably prepared to mitigate, adapt and overcome shocks and crises such as COVID and Climate Change.

I was particularly excited to hear the three project pitches from student teams competing under UNDP’s inaugural Development Challenge. It is now my honour to announce the winning team as well as second and third place. Based on the compilation of judges scores and your votes, the winning team is ‘TEAM Reducing Inequalities in Education (focus on technology and connectivity)’. Members are: Davion Brown, Utech Jamaica; Navaida Green, Northern Caribbean University; Petrona Peart, Northern Caribbean University; Shertonio Byfield, Northern Caribbean University; Johnoi Elliston, The University of the West Indies; Christina Williams, The University of the West Indies. The winning team will be awarded paid internships at UNDP Multi Country Office in Jamaica, while providing us with solid programmatic solutions to consider.  Second place goes to Team Climate and pandemic emergencies, and third place to Team Skills and Capabilities. Congratulations!!! We look forward to working with you.

My final word is for all delegates. As you review your draft resolution, I urge you to remember that your voice and participation in decision-making is critical. Use and amplify it, so that Jamaica and the whole world benefits. I urge you to be bold. This may be the final day of Ready Reset Recharge, but it is only the beginning of your mission to recharge youth networks to triumph in an extraordinary time of crisis and opportunity. I am confident you can do it as you are ready to translate visions and dreams into reality.  Congratulations to all for a job well done.