Saint Lucia’s youth face challenges around increased unemployment, a shortage of opportunities for personal and professional growth, and a greater divide of digital haves and have nots – exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, World Education, in partnership with Saint Lucia’s Department of Education, Innovation, and Gender Relations (DEIGR), have designed the Saint Lucia ConnectEd program to build resilience and improve the quality of teaching and learning in Saint Lucia by equipping youth and educators as digital literacy leaders in their communities. Grounded in the philosophy of positive youth development, the Saint Lucia ConnectEd program is taking a youth-centered and youth-led approach.
Working with a foundational coalition that includes the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Tuskegee University, Saint Lucia National Youth Council, Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and RISE Saint Lucia Inc., the ConnectED program will proide Saint Lucian youth opportunities to develop the critical digital skills they need to become engaged participants in school, community, work, and life.