As Yenver sat at his desk as a Foreign Service Officer for the Government of Saint Lucia within the High Commission in London, we had the opportunity to delve deeply into his scholastic and diplomatic journey. After earning an MSc in Development Studies, International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2022, he has been in this position since 2024.
“Most persons, if they look at my career trajectory, and maybe the image that I’ve built, it gives [the impression of] someone who always knew what they wanted to be. But that’s not true. I had no idea,” he shared.
After graduating from the St. Mary’s College, he made the decision to become a doctor, selecting the relevant sciences while attending the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. Already accepted to the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Biochemistry programme, Yenver requested permission to switch his focus after realising that medicine was no longer attractive.
“I went into the social sciences handbook…I literally just said, ‘yeah, that sounds good, international relations. And believe it or not, that is how I chose international relations,” he explained.
The 20-year-old student became the valedictorian at the University of the West Indies (UWI) – St. Augustine, crediting his success to divine intervention. This achievement is noteworthy because, historically, the valedictorian title has typically been given to a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, where the campus is situated.
“It was, at the time, the single biggest achievement I had. My mom was there in the crowd, and it was like the culmination of a lifelong worth of sacrifices. “It [was almost] that fairy tale moment where it’s like, ‘it is worth it all, after all’,” he reminisced.
After being rejected from the International Political Economy program at LSE, he reevaluated his choices and decided to pursue the International Development programme. He found this interdisciplinary aligned with his long-term goals of making a positive impact on Saint Lucia.
At LSE, he began exploring the work of Sir Arthur Lewis and felt a unique perspective as the only Saint Lucian in the programme: “You always hear persons tell you ‘The world is your oyster; just believe in yourself,’ all these other cliché things. But being there, it was a moment where I could reflect and be like, oh wow, you really can do anything you set your mind to. You really can follow in the footsteps of other venerable statesmen who have paved the way for others to follow.”
Yenver expressed that completing his studies instilled in him a newfound conviction and that sense of confidence, combined with his faith in God, alleviated any fears he had about the future. He currently serves on a team that represents Saint Lucia on an international level and seeks to inspire other young people. Known as the ‘Dreadlock Diplomat,’ he is recognised as the first male Saint Lucian diplomat with locs and aims to set a positive example for youth.
Moving to the High Commission has broadened his perspective and enhanced his diplomatic skills. He emphasized the importance of intercultural communication, particularly in a multicultural city like London but also pointed out the value in the interactions with the Saint Lucian diaspora, especially the insights from the Windrush Generation, who views the embassy as a refuge and a connection to home.
His advice for aspiring diplomats includes excelling in school, as academic success can significantly impact career opportunities. And while Yenver acknowledged the uncertainty of the future, he expressed a strong desire to educate and guide Saint Lucian youth as it is one of his passions to share his experiences and inspiring the youth.
Writer: Nelcia Charlemagne
Nelcia Charlemagne is a communications professional from Saint Lucia with eight years of experience in media, journalism, and public relations. Her career includes positions such as Junior Reporter at The STAR Newspaper, Reporter and Presenter at Choice TV, Public Relations Officer at Export Saint Lucia, Communications Officer at Helen’s Daughters, and Legislative Reporter at The Virgin Islands Consortium. Charlemagne is dedicated to sharing stories that inspire, educate, and empower her audience.
