Senator Seville Francis, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, proudly represented Grenada in the inaugural CARICOM Young Professionals Programme, which launched on Monday, June 2, at the CARICOM Secretariat’s headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana. She is one of 23 participants from 13 CARICOM member states selected to deepen their engagement with the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Senator Francis is joined by fellow Grenadian Mr. Kwesi Pope, a former National Youth Parliament candidate.
The Parliamentary Secretary described the initiative as “an investment in our future,” highlighting its value in fostering youth advocacy, regional cooperation, and awareness of CSME opportunities.
“As a participant and as a Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for youth, this experience directly complements my ongoing commitment to advance opportunities for young people, deepen our regional ties, and, most importantly, build awareness of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,” she stated.
The programme features a blended learning approach, combining in-person training with virtual engagements, and includes testimonies from successful CSME users such as Mr. Albert Chestime and Grenada’s own Mr. Stanford Edwards. These sessions provided practical insights into leveraging CSME tools to establish region-wide careers and enterprises.
“We are gaining the expertise to connect local ambition with regional opportunities. This programme gives us the tools to de-mystify the CSME for youth, entrepreneurs, students, and workers,” Senator Francis added. “It’s not just about policy — it’s about possibility.”
Participants will continue with virtual sessions through October, focusing on increasing youth involvement and understanding of CSME mechanisms. They are expected to build professional networks, foster cross-border collaborations, and become key advocates for regional integration.
According to the CARICOM Secretariat, the programme aims to equip Caribbean youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to raise awareness of CSME opportunities and support its implementation across member states.
