Joel Jean. Charles- Caricom Youth Ambassador

Mr. Joel Jean Charles has been appointed as the CARICOM Youth Ambassador (Male) for St. Lucia. Joel, who is 27 years of age and  hails from the community of Anse la Raye is a passionate young man who is motivated to help young people in his community.  

Joel for the past four years has been a physical education teacher at the Ciceron Combined School and in more recent time has served on the Anse la Raye Youth and Sports Council Interim Board as its  vice president.   Joel has had a long history of working with youth and his experience will no doubt assist in fulfilling his role as the youth ambassador, since he understands the needs and plight of young people. 

Joel had been an avid sportsman from his days at the Leon Hess Secondary School.  He also played sports such as cricket and football for his sports club Foundations Sports and Cultural Club in his community.  

Apart from playing, Joel had the opportunity to coach the Anse la Raye Girls Football Team and to work with students of the primary school in Anse la Raye. His work also continued to bear fruit as  a member of the Youth on Fire Movement, where he volunteered to provide academic assistance to young people who participated in an after school programme.  He and a friend were also instrumental in starting a scholarship fund for students of the community who were less fortunate.

For Joel, his love for community is quite evident, as he speaks strongly about wanting to see his community do better and that the stigma attached to Anse la Raye, about it being the “poorest of the poor” be eradicated.

When asked about his vision for the youth of our nation, Joel was quick to respond that he wants to see youth thoroughly engaged and employed so that they have little opportunity to be influenced by negativity.  He believes that safety and security is of paramount importance for youth since many are victims and perpetrators of crime.  He further stated that the work must begin as early as the preschools and primary schools, so that students acquire the right values and attitudes for success very early in life.

Added to this he wants to ensure that young people marry the academics, sports, and spirituality, which he says all go hand in hand. Joel is elated at this opportunity to serve his community and country at the regional and international level stating that he looks forward to building strong network to create greater opportunities for youth development.

The  CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme  is an initiative launched by the heads of states of the Caribbean  in 1993.  CARICOM Youth Ambassadors “are expected to serve as a positive representative  at the local, regional and international level.” 

Joel Jean Charles will serve for  a term of two years from November 1, 2022 to July, 31 2024. 

The Anse la Raye community is proud of this milestone in Joel’s life. We therefore congratulate him and wish him a successful and transformative tenure as  CARICOM Youth Ambassador.