Youth as a concept in Dominica is still a relatively new and emerging social construct. During slavery the concept of youth did not exist. The youth was an adult and the adult was a youth until death or incapacity due to arduous physical labour (Danns, et al. 1997:13). As a result very little youth services existed.

A Youth Camp site was established at Londonderry providing young people with a facility through which skills in agriculture, auto-mechanics, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, basic electricity and metal work were acquired. Through the Dominica Cadet Corp other social development goals were established in discipline, leadership and moral development (Christian, 1988). However, there was an absence of collaboration and therefore coordination among agencies offering these services.  It was this concern, among others, which led to the establishment of the National Youth Council in 1970. 

In 1972, in response to these concerns and based on the recommendations of the Vin Lawrence Report, a Youth Development Division was established within the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The revival of the National Youth Council, the new focus on education with emphasis on universal secondary education and the development of a national youth policy are some of the initiatives that, it is hoped, will ensure that Dominican youth meet the challenges and utilize the opportunities of the 21st century.

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Unemployment is probably the most or one of the most serious problems affecting the lives of our young people in Dominica. Employment is central to personal development, economic independence and participation in the national economy. It serves as a safety valve against such ills as illegal drug use and trafficking and promiscuity. 

Youth participation in Dominica’s economy
remains a major concern for planners and administrators since young people are moving away from employment in the agricultural sector. The need to broaden the economy to facilitate that change and harness the abilities of these young people remains a challenge.

Policy Statements

1. Initiatives shall be pursued that increase the participation of young people in the economy and other aspects of life in the country: culture, sports and so on.
2. Opportunities shall be made to exist for young people to acquire the skills and experience required to access existing and future employment opportunities.
3. Wages shall be made commensurate with employment type and level and gender equity in wages will exist for all young people.
4. Safety nets for young employees and in particular those who are teen parents shall be established or facilitated.
5. The gaps in employment opportunities between rural and urban areas in Dominica shall be narrowed and so increase the life chances of rural youth.
6. Disabled young people will be given every opportunity consistent with their abilities to participate in the economy.

   Drugs, Violence and Crime

Drugs, violence and crime are related issues, which threaten the development of young people in Dominica. It is of concern that drugs, violence and crime are on the increase in Dominica and involve a variety of young people--the employed, unemployed and students. 

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At present two key institutions exist to manage the affairs of youth in Dominica. The Youth Development Division (YDD), which is an organ of the public sector and the National Youth Council, which is a representative body of young people.

The YDD organizes a variety of programmes designed to encourage the social development of young people through the provision of a range of programmes and services designed to respond to their psycho-social need.  These include social, educational, employment and other community service activities. Among its most noted programmes are the Youth Skills Training
programme, the 4H programme as well as Youth Community Development Work.

A large portion of the nation’s population is made up of young people and given the complexity of the issues that confront them; institutions, which are relevant to addressing these issues adequately, are required. Proper management of the affairs of young people is essential to ensure adequate coverage in the gamut of needs and to ensure that no individual or groups of individuals are left behind. 

The National Youth Policy seeks to recognize the roles, rights and responsibilities and ensures the holistic development of young men, women and society through a process of involvement and empowerment by:

1. Taking into account the fact that each person is unique and should be treated equally;
2. Ensuring the involvement of government and all stakeholders responsible for creating the necessary environment for such a process, through stated strategies;
3. Serving as an advocate for Dominican young men and women on relevant issues.

The Mission of the National Youth Policy is to create a framework that will ensure that young men and women in Dominica grow up with a sense of belonging and worth and are empowered to participate fully in the social and economic development of the nation.

The NYP is designed with a core of principles and values. These have influenced the design and focus of the policies and will guide their implementation. These principles and values have been identified as follows:

1. Sustainable Development: Past development models were influenced by concerns for short-term measures and external pressures. The NYP endeavours to ensure that the needs of today’s generation do not compromise the potential of future generations for full and meaningful development
2. Youth Participation: The NYP recognises that if our young people are to become leaders of tomorrow then they must be allowed to participate at all levels of Dominican society and at an early age.
3. Youth Driven: Notwithstanding the fact that problems affecting young men and women should be the concerns of the entire society, the NYC appreciates programmes directed at young people which are youth driven and centred.

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