The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) is excited to announce the official speaker lineup for the upcoming ABWU Youth Congress 2025, which will take place under the theme “Adaptability to Ensure Sustainability: Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Youth.”
The Congress is the leading forum for empowering young workers and emerging leaders to meet the challenges of a fast-changing world of work. This year’s speakers bring global expertise, grassroots experience, and practical tools that will guide participants to create and maximise opportunities to excel in their careers and business endeavors.
The line up of speakers is as follows:
JAMION KNIGHT – International Psychotherapist| Former UNESCO Official
Speaking on Resilience & Mental Flexibility
A pioneer in international development and mental health, Jamion Knight is a former senior official with UNESCO, having served in Paris and across Latin America, including Colombia, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. As the first Antiguan and Barbudan to hold a professional-level post at UNESCO since the organization was founded in 1945, Knight led regional programs that served over 100 million people.
Now the founder of the Mental Fitness Centre and Knight Global Development Group, he brings a wealth of experience in diplomacy, trauma recovery, and education. Knight’s session will challenge delegates to strengthen their mental flexibility, emotional intelligence, and personal resilience, all essential tools for navigating uncertain futures.
SASHAGAY MIDDLETON – Corporate Leader | Climate Justice Advocate | Development Champion
Speaking on: Opportunities & Preparation
With over 13 years of regional leadership experience, Sashagay Middleton embodies strategic vision and community impact. As Corporate Accounts Manager at Liberty Caribbean and Local Crisis Management Coordinator, she guides business continuity efforts across the island with a people-first mindset.
In the area of sustainable development, Sashagay has led over 30 hurricane relief and environmental projects valued at more than USD $2M and helped direct over $500,000 to women-led climate initiatives in 10 Caribbean nations. Sashagay is both a Chevening and Mill Reef Fund Scholar. Her presentation will empower young people to identify opportunities, plan intentionally, and prepare proactively to lead in today’s complex world.
CASSANDRA SIMON
Veteran Accountant | Public Sector Professional
Speaking on: Entrepreneurship with Purpose
With more than 20 years in public practice, Cassandra Simon brings a grounded and practical perspective to financial empowerment. A graduate of the Ottos Comprehensive School and UWI Cave Hill, Simon also served for a decade in the Antiguan and Barbudan government system, honing her expertise in public finance and business operations.
Simon’s session will help participants understand the essentials of starting and sustaining a business with purpose, offering tools on how to build smart, sustainable ventures that create long-term value.
The ABWU Youth Congress takes place on August 20 at the ABWU’s Freedom Hall where approximately 200 young workers are expected to gather. Among the aims of the Congress is to amplify the voices of young workers and strengthen their role within the labour movement.
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A lineup of expert speakers is great, but the real impact will be in the quality of the sessions. I hope the speakers don’t just lecture but provide practical, actionable advice that our young people can apply immediately. It would be fantastic to hear from some successful local entrepreneurs who have navigated the challenges of starting a business right here in Antigua. Hearing their stories of resilience would be incredibly inspiring.
Adaptability is key. The job market is changing fast, and our young workers have to be ready.
“Entrepreneurship with Purpose” sounds like a session I’d love to attend. We need more support for small business owners starting out.
A growing number of young people seems to be interested in this sort of activity which is commendable. I wish them all well. Im sure they will learn a thing or two
The ABWU is CERTAINLY LEADING THE WAY in Pushing And Supporting The Youth & Young Adults of 🇦🇬 to REACH FOR THE SKIES during This Period of their Lives!!!
ENTREPRENEURSHIP is Certainly THE WAY TO GO!!!!
It is SUCH A PITY that The FOCUS & ENERGY needed in THIS Field is NOT given the NECESSARY attention by Our Government Administration!!
My HOPE is that THIS INITIATIVE (taken by the ABWU) will Create Such A Response among Our Youth and Young Adults, that the Government Administration will see THE NEED to provide the NECESSARY Financial And Advisory SUPPORT to Those Youth & Young Adults who, as A Result of THIS Exposure, decide to enter into Entrepreneurship Type Activities to further augment their Means of Livelihood in Our Nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
If Not, then PERHAPS The ABWU could SEEK out some Creative/Innovative means of Assisting Our Youth/Young Adults who will be taking SERIOUS Steps towards Initiating Their Own Businesses as A Direct Result of THIS SPECIFIC Exposure……..
The PRESENTERS and TOPICS to be covered will No Doubt result in some degree of commitment to ENTREPRENEURSHIP by the Youth and Young Adults who will make use of THIS Excellent Learning Opportunity……