Roberta Ellis - Committed to youth

In recognition of Inter-American Year of Women, the Bureau of Women's Affairs and the Flair Magazine have been celebrating women who have made a significant impact in specific areas contributing to national development. This week, we close with turning the spotlight on Roberta Brown Ellis.

Roberta Ellis - Committed to youth

Roberta Brown Ellis has been an advocate for youth empowerment for over 10 years. She has been ensuring that Jamaican youth are given an opportunity to participate as active citizens. Her life's goal is to be integrally involved in the creation of sustainable livelihoods for youth; fostering empowerment and transformation of our youth and communities, through the design and implementation of social policies and development programmes.

Born and raised in St Mary, she is a proud graduate of St Mary High School and the University of the West Indies (UWI). She has an undergraduate degree in international relations and a graduate degree in governance. She is able to communicate effectively in French, Spanish and Hebrew.

As director of youth policy and programme development at the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) since 2008, she coordinates and directs the centre's programmes which are geared towards youth development. Her duties involve participating in the formulation of strategic-corporate plans for the youth division of the ministry, based on the country's youth development agenda. She also designs, develops and recommends policies for effective coordination and development of the youth agenda.

Brown Ellis' commitment and passion for the empowerment of Jamaican youth began when she started working at Social Development Commission. She then went on to the National Youth Service (NYS) as a youth development officer. As she became more immersed in her job, she realised that empowering youth was to be her mission in life. As such, she approaches her work with endless passion, commitment and devotion.

"Self-actualisation is a concept I embrace," she notes, explaining that it is her desire to see individuals achieve their highest potential. As the current director of youth policy and programmes and the head of NYCD, Brown Ellis aims to serve young people by promoting areas of policy development, programme design and implementation that are structured to aid their advancement. She is also a member of the board of directors of the NYS, Child Development Agency and Fine Value Enterprise Limited.

Issues

There are a number of issues that are affecting young people that she is particularly concerned about. One is the trafficking in persons, specifically young women, and the issue of marginalised and incarcerated young men. For her, these are not only youth concerns, but gender concerns as well. "I have recognised the need to articulate more policies and programmes and ensure that there is a seamless relationship between youth and gender-related issues," she notes.

One of her main challenges is the lack of a united vision and focus in some areas to address the ills of society. Getting others to see youth development as a key priority and essential part of national development is another challenge. This is not limited to adults, but youth as well. "I would like young people to embrace their own responsibilities and treat their own development as high priority," she explains.

For those interested in getting involved in youth advocacy, Brown-Ellis advises, "Be prepared for hard work and long hours, as there is no nine-five in youth-development work. When involved in this line of work, one must take to the post undying commitment and devotion."

Brown Ellis has the highest respect for women in power and decision-making positions. She has started her own group, 'Women in Bloom', which is geared towards young professionals or aspiring professional women. "The idea is to create a space for women to be able to share their experiences and support each other."

In keeping with women's multiple roles, Brown Ellis is married with two children, and successfully balances family commitments with her involvement in youth advocacy.