(Left to right) Caymanians Thea Shaye Foster, Jak Hurlstone and Brittany Evans with United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Deputy Director, Adam Pile at the recent UKOTA Youth Summit in London.

The Cayman Islands was well-represented by three young Caymanians – Brittany Evans, Jak Hurlstone and Thea Shaye Foster at the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Youth Summit, held in London, England late last month. 

The summit, chaired by a youth participant from the British Virgin Islands, brought together young leaders from across the Overseas Territories, and focused on the theme of diversity and inclusion. 

Youth leaders from across the UK Overseas Territories at the Youth Summit organised by UKOTA

Capitalising on the platform, the young Caymanians joined other youth leaders in discussing key issues such as neurodiversity and disability in education, LGBTQ+ representation, immigration and migration. Through their involvement, the youth leaders demonstrated that young people have the capacity to contribute to discussions on the future they want to see. 

Commenting on the experience, Jak Hurlstone, who is currently pursuing his general certificate of secondary education at Wolsey Hall, Oxford said, “I hope to have represented the Cayman Islands well by speaking on key issues surrounding, and impacting, our national community.” He added, “I feel fortunate to interact with the UK’s Overseas Territories and to put the voices of our islands on the international stage, and hope both my words and conversations during the Summit may change the Cayman Islands for the better.”

Thea Shaye Foster, a student at the University of Westminster, where she is currently studying entertainment law shared a similar sentiment. “Today I have been honoured to be part of the UKOTA Youth Summit to represent the Cayman Islands Government as a youth ambassador, to discuss central themes falling under diversity and inclusivity in the Overseas Territories. I am completely blown away by the sheer maturity, talent and passionate points made by my fellow Caribbean youth delegates. I am showing up to make my Islands proud and to represent well,” she said. 

Cayman Islands Representative to the United Kingdom, Dr Tasha Ebanks Garcia joins Thea Shaye Foster, Jak Hurlstone and Brittany Evans. 

In line with the theme of the summit, Brittany Evans, who is currently pursuing a legal practice course at the University of Law stated, “My biggest takeaway from today was to accept each other’s differences and find ways to move forward in a way that is cohesive, inclusive to everyone’s different needs.”  

The participation of the Cayman Islands was supported by the government, demonstrating its commitment to supporting and creating opportunities for youth to excel. Speaking on Government’s involvement, Cayman Islands Representative to the United Kingdom, Dr Tasha Ebanks Garcia stated “It has been a privilege to support our youth in preparing for this event and to witness today’s proceedings. Their passion, dedication, and thoughtfulness in representing the Cayman Islands at the UKOTA Youth Summit has been inspiring. It has been an honour to watch them take on such a vital role in shaping our future.” 

Following the Youth Summit, Jak Hurlstone represented the Cayman Islands at the UK Youth Parliament at the House of Commons. In his speech, Jak spoke about the importance of access to education for neurodivergent students. 

Brittany Evans (second from left) makes a point during one of the sessions at Youth Summit.

Through the involvement of Caymanian youth leaders, the Cayman Islands continues to be a prominent voice at both the UKOTA Youth Summit and UK Youth Parliament. For more information, follow the official account of the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK on Twitter at CIGOUK.