In commemoration of International Youth Day, GHAI’s Food & Nutrition Program is spotlighting advocates empowering youth leaders driving change in their communities through our International Youth Day Advocate Series. Written by the advocates themselves, these stories showcase the passion, creativity and determination of young people advancing healthy food policies around the world. Youth advocacy is essential to building healthier food environments—young leaders bring fresh perspectives, lived experiences and powerful voices that influence decision-makers, inspire their peers and shape the policies that affect their generation and the next.
JYAN is a youth-led organization committed to developing, empowering and sustaining youth advocates who lobby for change on behalf of young people. As Executive Director, and with the support of my team and youth advocates, I take pride in ensuring JYAN meets its strategic goals while driving growth and advocacy initiatives. We promote positive behaviours, teach effective advocacy techniques, influence policies that affect youth and build their capacity to lead. In recent years, we have focused significant time and resources on advancing healthy food policy in Jamaica, a pressing issue that directly affects children and youth.
Youth-led advocacy is central to advancing our work on healthy food policy. Our youth advocates have been especially effective at engaging their peers, sharing key messages in relatable ways, and capturing the attention of decision-makers.
Young people must be part of shaping policies that directly affect them. When it comes to food and nutrition they are not outsiders, they are at the heart of the issue, with their rights often being forsaken. It’s vital that they have a say in the world they want to live in, and JYAN is committed to equipping them with the skills to voice the change they wish to see.
Policymakers are listening. We’ve often seen that when youth speak - especially with a united voice - the media and key decision-makers take notice. Both government and opposition members have shown receptiveness to their concerns. While young people may not have the power to legislate, they hold significant power to influence.
We’ve seen significant progress in our advocacy for the National School Nutrition Policy, thanks to the dedication of our youth advocate. We’re also making waves for supporting policies like octagonal front-of-package warning labels (FOPWL). Looking ahead, JYAN will continue empowering young people to champion these messages with key stakeholders while educating their peers to reduce harm and strengthen the movement.
What began as a small group working toward a healthier food environment has grown into hundreds of young advocates amplifying the message across every parish, and that number continues to grow each year.
