Peace activist Kenier Barthelmy Williams is pushing for a more proactive, youth-focused approach to peacebuilding in Saint Lucia after what she called a transformative experience at the Global Peace Summit in Paris.
Looking back on the summit, Barthelmy-Williams said it changed how she sees peacebuilding. She stressed that it is more than just reacting to violence. She explained that “peacebuilding is not only about bringing an end to violence or responding to conflict after it happens, but it is also about creating opportunities and environments that prevent young people from becoming vulnerable.”
The peace ambassador also talked about the link between global development and peace. She said she was inspired by “how the sustainable development goals and peace go hand in hand” and by how other countries use these ideas to build stable communities.
Barthelmy-Williams said one of her main goals is to set up structured support systems for young people in Saint Lucia. She highlighted “the importance of dialogue and creating safe spaces where young people can openly express themselves, receive mentorship, develop leadership skills, and participate in positive activities.”
These ideas led her to start the Pathways to Peace Network. She said the programme grew out of her work with young people and her realisation of the need for emotional and psychological support.
“Peace is the foundation of a successful life,” she said. “We cannot truly empower young people if they do not first have peace within themselves.”
She said the initiative aims to meet this need by “establishing safe spaces where young people can heal, feel heard, build confidence, and develop leadership skills that will positively impact their lives and communities”.
A key part of this mission is meaningful dialogue, which she believes is vital for rebuilding trust, especially in communities where relationships are already strained. She said that “dialogue goes beyond formal meetings,” and requires “listening, understanding, and respect without judgement.”
Barthelmy-Williams pointed out that real engagement can happen in both organised groups and informal settings, like “one-on-one conversations where they feel safe enough to open up and be heard”.
“Dialogue requires consistency, empathy, and genuine care,” she said. “When young people feel understood, valued, and respected, they become more willing to share openly and reconnect with others.”
She also said conversations need to lead to real results, explaining that dialogue should bring about “action, accountability, and real support.” In the end, she believes rebuilding trust in communities happens through “one honest, respectful conversation”.
Talking about the bigger challenges young people face in Saint Lucia, Barthelmy-Williams listed crime and violence, peer pressure, mental health issues and substance abuse as major concerns.
She said to really help, we need to focus on the root causes, stating, “To effectively address these issues, we must first get to the root of the problem.”
Through the Pathways to Peace Network, she described several practical steps to address these problems directly. These include mentorship programmes, leadership workshops, peacebuilding sessions, community outreach, and the launch of a Peace Ambassadors Programme in schools.
