Department of Youth launches new youth-led research initiative

GREAT BAY--The Department of Youth has launched a new youth-led research initiative designed to strengthen youth participation and support St. Maarten’s ongoing efforts to become a more child-friendly and youth-responsive community.

At the center of the initiative are ten young people between the ages of 16 and 19, selected from several secondary schools on the Dutch side of the island, who have been trained to take an active role in gathering and evaluating youth perspectives. Through training sessions held in February, the students were introduced to key research and data collection methods, including how to formulate clear research questions, identify bias, and collect information in a respectful, balanced, and responsible way.

Following the training phase, the youth researchers have now moved into fieldwork and are collecting responses from their peers at elementary and secondary schools across the island. The research team is using the Child Friendly City Checklist, a UNICEF-based measurement tool that was adapted by the youth participants to better reflect the local St. Maarten context.

The initiative is intended to place young people at the center of examining how youth experience participation within their own communities, particularly whether they feel heard and how they are involved in decisions that affect their lives. The findings are expected to support evidence-based discussions and help guide future policies, programs, and actions aimed at strengthening youth development and participation in St. Maarten.

The Department of Youth expressed appreciation to the participating schools, students, and partner organizations for their continued cooperation and support throughout the process.

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