Staff from the Office of Youth Affairs have met with students from ten schools to learn about their concerns and discuss ways in which they can be eased.

The Zone-In and Zone-Out sessions were held at the start and end of the school year.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, gave a report on the programme in the House of Assembly today.

She said: “The growth of our young people today is different from previous generations. There are similarities, yes, they have some of the same needs, yes. However, their interests are different, their responses to challenges are not the same and their approach and expectations from life are diverse.”

Ms Furbert said adults had to evolve to respond to changing needs.

She said: “To obtain answers to these questions, one must go directly to the source. The Office of Youth Affairs understands this, which is why Zone-In and Zone-Out sessions were devised — to directly and strategically engage with young people.

“In these sessions, young people asked not only what their issues and concerns were but also why they feel that way and what potential solutions could be implemented.”

Ms Furbert said she accompanied members of the youth development team on a number of the sessions.

She said: “I was struck by their candidness, passion and insightfulness. I found the discussions enlightening as they discussed their school workloads and its impact on their mental health.

Conversations on the need for financial literacy and education at younger ages were inspirational as they showed understanding of the impact of such on their futures.

“These conversations are so very necessary. It is not enough to only provide a space for young people to express their views, we must also listen, truly hear what is on their hearts and minds, and then we must act.”

The minister said that today’s younger generation “does not put a lot of trust in adults”, and that action needed to be taken to rebuild that trust.

She said: “Our young people demand action. We heard it at the National 18+ Youth Conference in July of last year, we heard it at the Consultation 2 Conference in April of this year, and we are hearing it from young people in our schools.

“Young people are looking to us to act on their concerns, and we must be ready to respond.

“Conversations like what took place are the fuel that drives the Office of Youth Affairs. They are the inspiration for the events, programmes, and workshops that the TOYA team puts together. This is the action that young people are looking for, and they can expect the TOYA team to deliver.“

“I commend the students who participated in the Zone-In and Zone-Out sessions. They shared their time and unfiltered opinions with us. It is my hope that they continue to feel empowered to share their views and experiences of life in Bermuda.“

Ms Furbert thanked the schools that participated, which were: Bermuda College, The Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Bermuda Institute, Warwick Academy, Bermuda High School for Girls, Dellwood Middle School, Sandys Secondary Middle School, Somersfield Academy, and Whitney Institute Middle School.

She added: “I also want to thank the TOYA youth development team. They take their mantle of developing and empowering Bermuda’s youth seriously, and I wish to praise them for their commitment and creativity in executing their work.

“Through their Zone-In and Zone-Out sessions they are helping to create the next generation of responsible citizens who participate willingly in civic engagement activities.”

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• To read the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media