Respect and Understanding is everyone’s business

Ms Isabelle Legare, Youth Programme Manager of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, has warned that the increasingly quick pace in today's world has made respect and understanding everybody's business.

In a presentation to the Caribbean leg of the Commonwealth Consultation on Respect and Understanding held in St Kitts and Nevis from November 19 to 21, Ms Legare argued that though the Caribbean is generally a peaceful place, discussion on issues such as radicalization and terrorism in the region remains significant.

Ms Legare emphasized that starting in their communities, young people could influence policies through consultations such as the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP)-organized St Kitts forum, the establishment of youth parliaments and similar instruments for local democracy and development.

"The capacity of a nation to harness the forces of globalization and to foster good relations with people from different countries or backgrounds starts with building the capacity of all its citizens, especially the youth," she pointed out.

Please see the full text of the presentation below.

Remarks for the CYP Caribbean Consultation