Youth development was the theme of a United Nations sustainable development conference in the Caribbean.

Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Neletha Butterfield attended the forum in Kingston, Jamaica, on behalf of the Premier.

This year has been proclaimed the International Year of Youth by the UN and delegates exchanged information about programme initiatives to address youth issues.

Ms Butterfield made a presentation on the Mirrors and Child Day Care Allowance programmes.

She said: "Throughout the forum it was recognised that youth have been disproportionately affected by the global economic crisis; UNESCO estimates that unemployment rates for youth are higher than average, between 11 and 15 percent, on a worldwide basis.

"In considering social development strategies for youth development, the forum acknowledged that drugs, crime and violence are consequences of a lack of integration of youth into society, and that actions and behaviours of youth today are the products of our past youth policies."

The forum attended by CARICOM delegates from across the Caribbean, produced a joint draft ministerial declaration recommending policies for coordinated national and regional action.

These include: legislation protecting the rights of youth; greater civic engagement; development of cultural industries; more community spaces for young people; promoting youth media; and mandating youth leadership i.e. youth parliaments.

Ms Butterfield said: "There was a common recognition of the need to integrate youth in Government decision-making."

She added: "The forum was very informative and provided perspectives which Bermuda can examine as we seek to promote the social development of our youth and address anti-social behaviours in our community."