Always Antiguan
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The headlines in Antigua and Barbuda grow darker with each passing week. Too many of our young men and women, barely out of their school uniforms, are being swept into the vortex of crime, violence, and hopelessness. It is a crisis that threatens not only their futures, but the soul and security of our nation.
In the face of such troubling realities, we can no longer afford hesitation or half-measures. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda must step forward with bold vision and practical action: a national service program that offers all school leavers a structured, purposeful path after high school.
But let us be clear, this is not a call for mandatory military service alone. The middle ground, which has proven successful in many nations, lies in offering young people options for service: military training, community development, healthcare support, environmental conservation, or even educational outreach. Each path builds discipline, character, and responsibility, while meeting critical needs of our society.
Why National Service Matters Now
- Discipline and DirectionOur youth need structure, not idle time. National service would cultivate teamwork, resilience, and accountability, qualities that employers seek and communities value.
- Breaking BarriersWhen young people from different backgrounds serve side by side, bonds are built across class, community, and culture. National unity begins not in words, but in shared experience.
- Skills for LifeWhether it is first aid, leadership, or project management, service programs provide practical skills that empower young adults long after their term is complete.
- Crime Prevention through PurposeA young person occupied with service has less room for the lure of gangs or idle distractions. Purpose is the antidote to delinquency.
- Nation-Building in ActionFrom cleaning coastlines to assisting in hospitals, our youth would not just talk about patriotism, they would live it. And in doing so, Antigua and Barbuda as a whole would reap the rewards.
A Shared Responsibility
This is not a burden for government alone. The private sector, churches, NGOs, and community leaders can all contribute resources, mentorship, and opportunities. Yet it is government that must lead with policy, legislation, and vision.
By making national service a rite of passage for every young Antiguan and Barbadian, we declare that our youth are not disposable, but indispensable.
The time for debate has passed. The rise of crime is evidence enough that our current systems are failing too many. We must act before we lose more of our sons and daughters to violence, prison, or despair.
A Call to Action
Mr. Prime Minister, you and your Government are called upon to intervene in this crisis; the ball is in your court. The youth are watching. The nation is waiting. Let us create a program that instills discipline, fosters unity, and restores hope. For if we fail to secure the next generation, then the tragedy will not be theirs alone, it will belong to all of us.
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