Caribbean outlets publish a piece focused on what “meaningfully engaging” young people in decisions about their health and lives should look like. The author challenges the routine use of the term “engage,” arguing that simply encouraging youth to attend meetings or participate in symbolic activities does not clarify what participation actually means.
Both articles frame the discussion as a response to youth perspectives and call for clearer, more substantive ways for young people to influence outcomes. They reference common engagement approaches—such as being informed, voting, volunteering, and speaking up—while questioning whether those actions translate into real decision-making power or accountability.
While the two publications share the same central message and wording, the Dominica News version is presented explicitly as a commentary, and the Kaieteur News version appears as an open letter-style submission. Beyond this difference in format, the sources align on the main issue: engagement must be meaningful, not merely procedural, and should better reflect youth input in shaping policies that affect them.
