CYLIP Intern Attends USAID’s Creative Bridges: Connecting Youth through Innovation and Partnerships

CYLIP Intern Aldan St. Omer is currently a full-time intern at CIMH, who is attached to the Office of the Principal and the IT Team.

A holder of a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Cave Hill-UWI, Aldan is focused on developing skills he needs to create innovative solutions which positively impact productivity and sustainable development in the Caribbean region.

He tell us of his experience in the 2-day international youth summit:

When did you attend the summit and where was it held?

On May 9th and 10th, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in Creative Bridges: Connecting Youth through Innovation and Partnerships, a youth development summit in Washington, DC.

What were some of the areas covered at the summit?

We explored how to foster engagement in youth development through collaborations, emphasizing STEM, arts, sports, and faith-based groups. The summit exposed me to a diverse spectrum of disciplines and cultures, from the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the USA.

Tell us about an activity you lead or actively participated in at the summit?

I participated in various breakout sessions at the summit. One session focused on the arts and demonstrated how storytelling through art aids in civic engagement for people of all ages. The presenters highlighted the importance of providing access to the arts for all youth, especially those in underprivileged communities, to foster their creative development and expression. Our discussions centered around the societal challenges that can be addressed through art and the transformative power of artistic engagement.

In the plenary session “Architecting Our Future,” I presented on these challenges of art in youth development, focusing on Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. We discussed the impact music has on the youth and explored other creative avenues for positive youth expression and perception of art.

Any acknowledgements?

A huge thank you to Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology for sponsoring my participation, and to USAID , DOD, USIP, and Draper University for hosting this incredible event. I’m especially grateful for the connections made and the progress in amplifying youth voices!