The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has unveiled an ambitious youth empowerment blueprint centered on cultural recognition, digital innovation, and social reintegration. At the heart of the plan are two standout initiatives — elevating Dennery Segment artistes onto global stages and launching a “Second Chance” programme to rehabilitate young people who have fallen through the cracks.
The proposals were outlined on November 2 at Clock It, a youth engagement event hosted at Utopia Gardens in Ti Rocher, Micoud. The gathering brought together young creatives, entrepreneurs, and supporters for a night of performances and political pledges under the banner of youth transformation. Clock It, derived from urban slang meaning “to notice or call out,” served as the platform for the UWP to spotlight its plans for Saint Lucia’s next generation.
In his address, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet emphasized the UWP’s commitment to rebuilding trust with young citizens, promising tangible reforms to strengthen youth representation. “The National Youth Council has been tokenized and taken for granted,” Chastanet declared. “We will restore it with proper funding, staffing, and office space, and ensure that young people have a seat on every national board and committee.” He also announced plans to expand the NYC’s annual subvention and introduce youth ambassadors in key sectors to amplify their voices across the island.
On the cultural front, Chastanet proposed that Carnival celebrations be extended to an entire month each July — a move he says will boost tourism and create economic opportunities for creatives. As part of that vision, he promised that Dennery Segment artistes would be given headline billing similar to international acts featured during the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. “We want the world to know what Dennery Segment is — and we’ll make that happen,” he said to loud applause.
The UWP leader also announced plans to revive youth entrepreneurship through the Saint Lucia Development Bank, expanding grant access from EC$5,000 to EC$25,000 and offering soft loans for business startups. He criticized the current administration’s Youth Economy Agency, alleging that funds intended for youth empowerment were being diverted. “We had a working system to support young entrepreneurs — and instead of building on it, they created another layer of bureaucracy,” he remarked.
In a deeply personal moment, Chastanet unveiled the proposed “Second Chance” initiative — a social reintegration programme aimed at youth who have dropped out of school or joined gangs. “Too many young people have been abandoned by this country,” he said. “We must understand why they turned to the streets and give them a real path back. We will work with community leaders and even with gang members to bring them back into society — with skills, jobs, and dignity.”
He ended the evening with a call to unity and renewal, telling the crowd: “The future belongs to you — and the time has come for Saint Lucia to let young people lead the way.”