Young Belizeans Envision Belize@50 at Ideas Summit

Thirty-six youths from multiple schools and the Belize City Youth Shadow Council gathered today for this year’s Belize@45 Creative Youth Ideas Summit, where they discussed national issues and developed ideas for what Belize could look like when the country reaches its 50th year of independence.

The summit focused on areas including education, health and wellness, sports, science and technology, and climate change and sustainable development. Participants presented their ideas to an audience, giving them an opportunity to defend and refine their ideas.

Kevin Chen, Summit Coordinator at the National Celebrations Commission, says, “Here at the summit they will have the opportunity to present those ideas and of course there will be questions fielded from members of the audience. And that provides the opportunity for those ideas to be tested.”

Among the ideas discussed were proposals for implementing artificial intelligence policies in schools, as well as greater use of solar energy and other measures to reduce Belize’s dependence on other countries.

According to Chen, an outcomes document will be compiled after the summit and presented to Minister Francis Fonseca, Chairman of the National Celebrations Commission, who will then take it to Cabinet for consideration.

Dian Maheia, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, emphasised the importance of giving young people a seat at the table when it comes to discussions about Belize’s future, telling participants, “You are here today because your ideas and your voices matter, and because it’s important for us to engage with you as representatives of the youth and students of our country.”

The summit has taken different formats over the past five years, moving between group discussions and panel discussions. This year’s event returned to a focus-group style, allowing participants to engage directly with one another and challenge ideas as they consider what Belize should look like by Belize@50.

Chen says the goal is for the ideas discussed at the summit to extend beyond government and inspire people to work towards meaningful change in their own communities.