A five-member delegation from Antigua and Barbuda is joining global leaders at United Nations Headquarters this week for the Transforming Global Education Summit, a landmark initiative focused on modernising education systems in small island states.
The one-day summit, held on Friday, May 1st, is convened by the PVBLIC Foundation in collaboration with the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Learning Economy Foundation. It brings together heads of state, ministers, multilateral leaders, technologists, educators, private sector innovators, and youth leaders under the theme "Redefining Education as Global Infrastructure."
The summit is advancing a new model for national education systems designed to align policy, technology, funding, and multilateral cooperation within a single forward-looking framework.
Director of Education Clare Browne is leading the delegation, joined by Director of Youth Dr. Jrucilla Samuel. Three youth representatives complete the team: Pia Nicholas, President of the National Youth Volunteer Corps and former CARICOM Youth Ambassador; current CARICOM Youth Ambassador Janet Simon; and Chevaughn Burton, Assistant to the Safe Schools Focal Point.
The inclusion of both senior officials and youth leaders reflects the Government of Antigua and Barbuda's commitment to inclusive education reform and to ensuring young people help shape the future of learning.
The Permanent Mission to the United Nations is coordinating the delegation's participation. Ambassador Walton Webson, Antigua and Barbuda's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, underscored the stakes involved.
"For countries like ours, education is not simply a social service — it is a matter of national resilience and sovereignty," Ambassador Webson said. "Small Island Developing States understand that our ability to adapt, innovate, and compete globally depends on how we invest in the knowledge and skills of our people."
Browne will deliver remarks on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda at the opening session and will participate in a panel discussion titled "Focus on Small Island Developing States." CARICOM Youth Ambassador Janet Simon is scheduled to speak on the panel "Scaling the Model: From Youth to National Development."
Dr. Samuel will moderate a third panel discussion — "Redefining Education Systems for the Future: Integrating Mental Health, Nutrition, and Holistic Youth Development as Global Priorities" — in which the delegation's youth members will also feature.
The delegation is additionally scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the PVBLIC Foundation and other partner countries of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
