As the Youth Affairs Summit came to a close this past Sunday, TNN spoke with several key participants and organizers about the week-long event, its impact on Bermuda’s youth, and the road ahead.
The summit, organized by the Office of Youth Affairs, brought together young people from across the island for discussions, panels, and community-building activities aimed at empowering youth and informing national policy through their voices.
Tianna Saltus, the National Youth Engagement Officer, reflected on the success of the summit:
“The turnout was strong, the engagement was powerful, and the discussions were exactly what we were hoping for. We had brilliant panelists and passionate participants who were eager to contribute ideas that can shape real programs and policy.”
Saltus noted several pressing needs expressed by young people throughout the summit.
“They want more to do—more events, more creative outlets, more spaces to collaborate and create content. We heard calls for a content creation facility, where youth can engage in music, social media, art—whatever their passion is.”
She also highlighted a call for better integration between public and private school students, a concept TOYA is actively exploring for future programming. Above all, Hill emphasized the need for youth to feel heard and seen:
“Even if we don’t fully understand everything right away, we’re committed to listening and creating opportunities. When they feel valued, they’ll show up, and they’ll help us help them.”
One participant, Iora Golden, a Bermuda College student and panelist, shared how the week personally impacted her:
“It really opened my eyes to how economics can influence antisocial behavior, and how rarely we talk about mental health and suicide in our community. That needs to change.”
Golden emphasized the importance of youth remaining involved after high school.
“Community service shouldn’t stop after graduation. I want to encourage my peers to stay active, join outreach efforts, and keep building that positive momentum.”
Davida Morris, the Youth Policy Officer for the Office of Youth Affairs, said she left the summit inspired:
“My job is to listen to what young people need and want. This week, I heard clearly that they’re looking for space—space to speak, space to connect, space to create.”
Morris pointed to TOYA’s National Youth Policy Working Group as one such space. Comprised of youth and government representatives, the board makes formal recommendations based on Bermuda’s youth policy goals—focused on helping young people grow, thrive, and transition successfully into adulthood.
“Tuesday was a powerful example—many young women who were hesitant to speak at first found their voice during the discussion. That’s the power of safe, supportive platforms. It’s our job to create those.”
Despite the challenges often highlighted in the media, all three leaders expressed optimism.
“The future looks bright,” Tianna Saltus said. “That small percentage of negativity we see? It’s just a fraction. There’s far more good going on. If we continue giving our youth something to do, the negative behavior will shrink—from 10% to 5%, maybe even lower.”
The Youth Affairs Summit may have ended, but the energy it generated is just beginning. TOYA and its partners are already laying the groundwork for programs inspired directly by the voices of Bermuda’s youth—voices they are determined to continue uplifting.
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