My name is Cesone Clemmings. I am 22 years old and I am a mentor, an amateur baking enthusiast, a lover of people and an advocate for change. I am the daughter of a retired Police Officer and Elementary School Teacher. I am a Graduate of the University of the West Indies Mona in the small island of Jamaica.
A second generation university graduate, I grew up in spaces that most would have considered to be impoverished and at a young age I recognized the considerable differences between what most Jamaicans would say “uptown schools and downtown schools”. These labels represented not only the geographic locations of these institutions but also the social hierarchy relating to wealth and access to resources.
My passion towards issues relating to equitable access to education found it roots in struggles faced by my parents, more so my mother. My mother lived in one of the most rural communities in the island, the closest school was 6 miles away and many days she had to walk, her school did not have electricity nor running water. She like many other children lived with family members that weren’t very learned, thus, she struggled, not because of her inability to learn but she unlike her counterparts who grew up in urban spaces and wealthier sections of the island, could not have garnered the help she needed to thrive. As a result of this, I have made it my life’s duty to learn about the issues within my own region’s educational system and later on the world.
The issues relating to equitable access have been an ongoing in my small island; issues relating to schools that are considered upper-class versus those that are considered lower-class schools and also the issues relating to schools in urban areas versus those in the rural areas. The more prominent issues are related to access to technology- many children either based on geographic location or based on an inability to afford technological devices, and more so because of their inability to pay for internet services, have found themselves worse off as a result.
The governments of the world, due to the ongoing effects of the global pandemic have the opportunity to partner with the major telecommunication networks within their own country’s to make internet services affordable. They can also ensure that internet services can be accessed throughout the country regardless of where a person is located. Lastly, governments of the world should ensure that schools or libraries can facilitate those students who lack personal technological devices, with public access to this equipment.
Interested in finding out what students around the globe are experiencing? Join me and 5 other youth finalists as we engage with senior decision- makers on the purpose of education on August 28th,31st and September 2nd by signing up as a delegate
Register now as limited spots are available at http://delegatesfortage.paperform.co/
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
About #UnitedForHope
As part of the UN75 initiative, the United Nations in India launched the #UnitedForHope campaign in partnership with Youth Ki Awaaz with the aim to create meaningful conversations with as many people as possible: to listen to their hopes and fears; learn from their experiences; and empower them to think and act globally.
With the spirit of “We The Peoples” at its core, the campaign provides an opportunity for the global public, especially young people, to share their ideas on how to tackle the developmental challenges of today, and build a better future for everyone, everywhere. For more information, see: in.one.un.org/un75