Poverty, inequality, violence, identity, leadership, civic responsibility and social issues will be explored by budding young leaders from public and private schools across the island over the next three weeks.

Sixteen students will take part in the latest Future Leaders Summer Induction Programme at Bermuda College.

Now in its tenth year, the initiative aims to help young people gain the skills, connections and confidence to drive meaningful change at home and abroad.

Yemaya Iris, 16, of Somersfield Academy, expressed excitement ahead of starting the programme.

She is looking forward to diving into topics like “education, inequality, social justice and activism”.

Ms Iris said: “I feel like a lot of times it’s easy for our voices to get lost; opportunities for our voices to be heard are important.”

She added: “I’m excited to get to hear different perspectives. I have mine but there are more out there. Perspectives are how you get a full story.”

Ms Iris hopes to attend university and one day work in the legal field.

“I dream of a Bermuda where equality, support and opportunity are promised to every young Bermudian, ensuring we all reach our fullest potential,” she said.

“I believe this Bermuda can be achieved through programmes such as Future Leaders.”

Seon Tatem, the Future Leaders assistant director, praised the organisation’s founder Ryan Robinson Perinchief for laying the groundwork for “true service leadership” and said it was a testament to Future Leaders to witness the appointment of McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett as executive director — the first Future Leader to come back to the organisation.

Mr Tatem explained that by the end of the programme students will have achieved 90 hours of community service, while the introduction of a new phase will see participants automatically enter a mandatory three-year journey running through to September 2029.

This summer’s theme centres on US political activist and former member of the Black Panther Party Assata Shakur.

Mr Tatem said: “In today’s Bermuda, the impact of disempowerment and division is evident in many of our social issues, such as lack of adequate and affordable housing, growing frustrations within our education system and the continued stain of gang violence.

“The promise of youth voices standing together remains incredibly relevant today. When young people are unified, empowered and conscious of their collective strength, they rise to the occasion.”

He added: “Through the next three weeks of intense studies and in-depth reflections on both society and their inner selves, our Future Leaders will be better equipped, with the knowledge to step into their power and to unite to fight for a better world for this and future generations.

“To our Future Leaders, we believe that you are the answer to Bermuda’s greatest challenges and our reminder that when you operate from a place of unity and recognise your inherent power, true liberation and progress are within your reach.”

David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, said: “One of my strong beliefs is that young people should have opportunities, not only to learn about Bermuda’s institutions but also to take a proactive role in how policy is made and how change actually happens.

“Studies show that when young people participate in civics though doing, rather than theory alone, they are more likely to become active citizens in society, and we know we need more active citizens in Bermuda.”

Mr Burt added that the Future Leaders would be “challenged” to think critically about society and the role they can play to improve it.

“One of the strengths of the Future Leaders programme is the legacy that it has built over the years,” the Premier said.

“Future Leaders graduates continue to return to support new cohorts. That tradition of former students helping to guide those who follow them has become one of the programme’s defining features.

“This government continues to support the Future Leaders programme, because we recognise that civic participation begins long before a person casts their first vote or considers a career in public service.”

Mr Burt added: “To the students here today, I encourage you to make the most of these next three weeks. The issues you will explore are among the most important facing our country, and your perspectives must be a part of those discussions.”