Youth parliament training begins ahead of end-of-month relaunch
Nominees for the Virgin Islands Youth Parliament recently completed their first of three training sessions on the entire proceedings of the House of Assembly.
A government commissioned media release said the nominees were selected from among youth organisations, churches and nonprofit organisations.
The nominees will be taught the principles of governance and democracy, and also the functions of the House of Assembly.
“During our workshops and training, youth parliamentarians will learn about the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly, the role of the Speaker, the Constitution, the history of the Legislature, the art of debate and public speaking and how to dress for success as young parliamentarians,” Speaker of the House Julian Willock stated.
Improved national awareness and leadership
Willock who is also the Chairman of the Special Select Committee which is responsible for the youth parliament, further said that the goal at the end of the sessions is to ensure that the nominees are better equipped with a greater sense of national awareness and possess an improved ability to lead.
“All of you will be very versed on how parliament works, the importance and role of the legislative branch, the art of public speaking and debate, the topical issues affecting the Virgin Islands, just to name a few,” Willock added.
The youth parliament is expected to be comprised of 40 youths from all across the territory, ranging from the ages of 18 to 35. They are selected by all 13 members of the House, including the Speaker and the Director of Youth Affairs & Sports.
The second session of the training workshops is set for Monday March 23, which is one week prior to the official launching of youth parliament.
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Good stuff congratulations to all nominees
I would like to applaud all those involved in continuing this important initiative to continue to expose us to the workings of parliamentary proceedings. I said “continue” because the youth parliament was started by the previous administration under Hon. Walwyn, Mrs. Brenda Tye and other persons. I was a member of the first group and it boosted my confidence and knowledge of the very important procedures of the House of Assembly.
I listened to the re-launch of the youth parliament and I did not hear any credit being given to the previous administration for starting this initiative. It’s almost as if this just started. This seems to be the way we do things now in the BVI and as a young person looking on it is not a good example. Adults must start to act and behave like adults. The VIP did not start the youth parliament. The NDP under the ministry of education did. Acknowledge what was done. Don’t relaunch it and then sneak around trying to play on the minds of people who don’t know. The same training that is being done now was done by Mrs. Tye, the speaker Moses and many other guests who came in to train us. I wish all the participants well and encourage my fellow young people to get involved.
Isn’t the age group, for what is considered a youth, 15-29 years based on the UK standard? Just inquiring why is has gone to 35, which seems really old for youth parliament.