Minister of Youth, Social Development & Seniors, Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently hosted a meeting with the students from Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Intensive (YLI) 2026.

Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Intensive (YLI) was held in April. The one-week “Intensive” Social to build youth confidence in using their voices to increase the effectiveness of adults who work with or on behalf of youth.

The training enables young people to meet with adults on an equal footing to discuss concerns and offer their ideas for solving community problems.

Minister Furbert awarded four student presenters with the Minister’s Distinguished Award for Presentation and Advocacy on behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors.

Minister Furbert stated: “These young people did not ask to be seen one day—they showed me, with courage and clarity, that they are leaders right now. When a student looks you in the eye and says, ‘Talk with me, not at me,’ you understand that leadership is not a title you hold; it is a choice you make to meet our young people on equal footing. Their ideas are valid, their voices are valued, and their experiences are important. My commitment, and the commitment of this Ministry, is simple: we will not only hear them—we will act with them.”