Introducing JYAN

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is a youth-led non-governmental organization advocating for the rights of youth in Jamaica. JYAN started in August 2006, following an advocacy workshop, with the aim of empowering young leaders in advocacy and public education by promoting positive behaviours, teaching techniques of positive advocacy, building capacity on issues affecting adolescents and youth, and advising and guiding policies affecting them.

Introducing JYAN

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is a youth-led non-governmental organization advocating for the rights of youth in Jamaica. JYAN started in August 2006, following an advocacy workshop, with the aim of empowering young leaders in advocacy and public education by promoting positive behaviours, teaching techniques of positive advocacy, building capacity on issues affecting adolescents and youth, and advising and guiding policies affecting them.

Introducing JYAN

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is a youth-led non-governmental organization advocating for the rights of youth in Jamaica. JYAN started in August 2006, following an advocacy workshop, with the aim of empowering young leaders in advocacy and public education by promoting positive behaviours, teaching techniques of positive advocacy, building capacity on issues affecting adolescents and youth, and advising and guiding policies affecting them.

Our vision

JYAN is a voice for the youth in Jamaica, promoting participation and inspiring positive change across Jamaica and the Caribbean.

JYAN is a voice for the youth in Jamaica, promoting participation and inspiring positive change across Jamaica and the Caribbean.

JYAN is a voice for the youth in Jamaica, promoting participation and inspiring positive change across Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Our mission

JYAN is a youth-led leadership and implementing body, supported by youth values, which seeks to develop, empower, and sustain a cadre of youth advocates to lobby for change on behalf of young people by promoting positive behaviours; teaching techniques of positive advocacy; contributing to policies affecting them and building their capacity in Jamaica, the Caribbean and beyond.

JYAN is a youth-led leadership and implementing body, supported by youth values, which seeks to develop, empower, and sustain a cadre of youth advocates to lobby for change on behalf of young people by promoting positive behaviours; teaching techniques of positive advocacy; contributing to policies affecting them and building their capacity in Jamaica, the Caribbean and beyond.

JYAN is a youth-led leadership and implementing body, supported by youth values, which seeks to develop, empower, and sustain a cadre of youth advocates to lobby for change on behalf of young people by promoting positive behaviours; teaching techniques of positive advocacy; contributing to policies affecting them and building their capacity in Jamaica, the Caribbean and beyond.

Core values

JYAN values meaningful youth engagement in the decision-making process, evidence-based advocacy and the realization of the rights of adolescents and youth.

JYAN values meaningful youth engagement in the decision-making process, evidence-based advocacy and the realization of the rights of adolescents and youth.

JYAN values meaningful youth engagement in the decision-making process, evidence-based advocacy and the realization of the rights of adolescents and youth.

JYAN for Human Rights! Centred and streamlined throughout our work is a human rights-based approach to advocacy and development interventions. JYAN prioritizes the application of human rights-based principles where advocacy interventions recognize the inherent dignity and inalienable rights and freedoms of all persons.

JYAN for Human Rights! Centred and streamlined throughout our work is a human rights-based approach to advocacy and development interventions. JYAN prioritizes the application of human rights-based principles where advocacy interventions recognize the inherent dignity and inalienable rights and freedoms of all persons.

JYAN’s Strategic Priorities

JYAN 2022 and Beyond

JYAN’s Strategic Priorities

JYAN 2022 and Beyond

JYAN for Education

JYAN for Education

JYAN for Health & Well-being

JYAN for Health & Well-being

JYAN for Peace, Safety, Justice, and the Rule of Law

JYAN for Peace, Safety, Justice, and the Rule of Law

JYAN for Youth in Governance

JYAN for Youth in Governance

JYAN for Climate Action

JYAN for Climate Action

Principal Objectives of the Organization

Advocacy extends to enabling student voice and ownership to empower their decision-making in how they learn and participate in the learning environment, resulting in greater connectivity to school and being more invested in learning. 

1

To foster and develop increased learning and development opportunities for young people by encouraging and supporting them to contribute, steer initiatives and lead their own youth-led projects.

2

To break the cycle of partial or tokenistic youth advocacy in Jamaica by equipping young people with advocacy skills that will place them on par with other stakeholders in decision-making.

3

To help young people to acquire the requisite skills to advocate successfully and influence tangible results in the development and implementation of relevant policies and programmes.

4

To help to create a more democratic and participatory society with increased opportunities for youth involvement.

5

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

6

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

7

To build strong networks of student and youth representation.

JYAN’s Strategic Priorities

JYAN 2022 and Beyond

JYAN’s Strategic Priorities

JYAN 2022 and Beyond

JYAN for Education

JYAN for Education

JYAN for Health & Well-being

JYAN for Health & Well-being

JYAN for Peace, Safety, Justice, and the Rule of Law

JYAN for Peace, Safety, Justice, and the Rule of Law

JYAN for Youth in Governance

JYAN for Youth in Governance

JYAN for Climate Action

JYAN for Climate Action

Meet the Dedicated Team

At the heart of JYAN's impactful initiatives is a dedicated team committed to driving positive change. Each member brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and unwavering passion for our mission. Together, we are united by a shared vision of creating a brighter and more sustainable future for those we serve.

Meet the Dedicated Team

At the heart of JYAN's impactful initiatives is a dedicated team committed to driving positive change. Each member brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and unwavering passion for our mission. Together, we are united by a shared vision of creating a brighter and more sustainable future for those we serve.

Meet the Dedicated Team

At the heart of JYAN's impactful initiatives is a dedicated team committed to driving positive change. Each member brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and unwavering passion for our mission. Together, we are united by a shared vision of creating a brighter and more sustainable future for those we serve.

Shannique Bowden

Executive Director

Shannique Bowden

Executive Director

Shannique Bowden

Executive Director

Shanielle Allen

Policy and Advocacy Coordinator

Shanielle Allen

Policy and Advocacy Coordinator

Shanielle Allen

Policy and Advocacy Coordinator

Jonathan Atkins

Communications Coordinator

Jonathan Atkins

Communications Coordinator

Jonathan Atkins

Communications Coordinator

Kayla Wright

Projects Officer: Advocacy and Programmes

Kayla Wright

Projects Officer: Advocacy and Programmes

Kayla Wright

Projects Officer: Advocacy and Programmes

Harta-Lee Guthrie

Projects Assistant: Admin and Operations

Harta-Lee Guthrie

Projects Assistant: Admin and Operations

Harta-Lee Guthrie

Projects Assistant: Admin and Operations

Conrod Darby

Finance and Operations Coordinator

Conrod Darby

Finance and Operations Coordinator

Conrod Darby

Finance and Operations Coordinator

Principal Objectives of the Organization

Advocacy may also extend to enabling student voice and ownership to empower their decision-making in how they learn and participate in the learning environment, thereby resulting in greater connectivity to school and being more invested in learning. 

Principal Objectives of the Organization

Advocacy may also extend to enabling student voice and ownership to empower their decision-making in how they learn and participate in the learning environment, thereby resulting in greater connectivity to school and being more invested in learning. 

1

To foster and develop increased learning and development opportunities for young people by encouraging and supporting them to contribute, steer initiatives and lead their own youth-led projects.

1

To foster and develop increased learning and development opportunities for young people by encouraging and supporting them to contribute, steer initiatives and lead their own youth-led projects.

2

To break the cycle of partial or tokenistic youth advocacy in Jamaica by equipping young people with advocacy skills that will place them on par with other stakeholders in decision-making.

2

To break the cycle of partial or tokenistic youth advocacy in Jamaica by equipping young people with advocacy skills that will place them on par with other stakeholders in decision-making.

3

To help young people to acquire the requisite skills to advocate successfully and influence tangible results in the development and implementation of relevant policies and programmes.

3

To help young people to acquire the requisite skills to advocate successfully and influence tangible results in the development and implementation of relevant policies and programmes.

4

To help to create a more democratic and participatory society with increased opportunities for youth involvement.

4

To help to create a more democratic and participatory society with increased opportunities for youth involvement.

5

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

5

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

6

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

6

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

7

To build strong networks of student and youth representation.

7

To build strong networks of student and youth representation.

Principal Objectives of the Organization

Advocacy may also extend to enabling student voice and ownership to empower their decision-making in how they learn and participate in the learning environment, thereby resulting in greater connectivity to school and being more invested in learning. 

Principal Objectives of the Organization

Advocacy may also extend to enabling student voice and ownership to empower their decision-making in how they learn and participate in the learning environment, thereby resulting in greater connectivity to school and being more invested in learning. 

1

To foster and develop increased learning and development opportunities for young people by encouraging and supporting them to contribute, steer initiatives and lead their own youth-led projects.

1

To foster and develop increased learning and development opportunities for young people by encouraging and supporting them to contribute, steer initiatives and lead their own youth-led projects.

2

To break the cycle of partial or tokenistic youth advocacy in Jamaica by equipping young people with advocacy skills that will place them on par with other stakeholders in decision-making.

2

To break the cycle of partial or tokenistic youth advocacy in Jamaica by equipping young people with advocacy skills that will place them on par with other stakeholders in decision-making.

3

To help young people to acquire the requisite skills to advocate successfully and influence tangible results in the development and implementation of relevant policies and programmes.

3

To help young people to acquire the requisite skills to advocate successfully and influence tangible results in the development and implementation of relevant policies and programmes.

4

To help to create a more democratic and participatory society with increased opportunities for youth involvement.

4

To help to create a more democratic and participatory society with increased opportunities for youth involvement.

5

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

5

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

6

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

6

To facilitate advocacy and sensitization training around matters of students' rights and human rights.

7

To build strong networks of student and youth representation.

7

To build strong networks of student and youth representation.