Youth in Barbados will continue to bring awareness to the impact of climate change in the region at the Barbados Youth in Action Summit and Expo from July 7 to 9, 2022.

The summit, which is being hosted by the Ashley Lashley Foundation, is themed “Beyond Talk, More Action”.  The theme summarizes the frustration of Barbadian youth and stakeholders with those who have turned a blind eye on the impact of the climate crises, and the devastation to human civilization, while joining the global call for more action than talk.  

The three-day summit will comprise a march scheduled for Thursday, July 7, 2022, by students and youth groups to demonstrate their fight for their future.  The march, which will commence at 9:00 a.m., will be preceded by 10-year-old Layla Licorish and her team cycling from St. John’s Parish Church to the Wildey Gymnasium.

On Friday, July 8, 2022, the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre will be the venue for the Expo and thematic panel discussions focussing on Youth Accelerating Action, Resilient Recovery and Building a Climate Conscious Society.  Starting at 9:00 a.m., panellists and attendees will engage in a conversation under the theme “Youth Accelerating Action”, examining youth participation in climate action at the community and national level.  

All thematic sessions will bring experts and youth together for an intergenerational conversation and the opportunity to create a pathway for shared recommendations and commitment to taking action on climate change.  

The hybrid event, in person and online, will also investigate “Resilient Recovery”, examining developments in energy, finance, and adaptation tourism with nature-based solutions.  The focus of this session will be the socio-economic practices that would be pinnacle to the redevelopment of an economy that works in harmony with nature, acknowledging nature as a friend, rather than a resource.

Over the years the Ashley Lashley Foundation has cemented its commitment to social development matters, such as environmental justice, health and wellness, and women’s rights.  The Foundation uses its voice to bring greater awareness to major environmental and health issues affecting small island developing states, namely the health impacts of climate change.

The Barbados Youth in Action Summit and Expo on July 8 and 9, 2022, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.