Youth Parliament – an opportunity for us to make a difference – Youth Prime Minister
– Youth Parliament from Aug. 10-18
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, August 12 2018
Secondary School Prime Minister for Youth Parliament 2018, Jordan Kellman said this year’s sitting of the National Assembly is a great opportunity for the youths to make a difference.
PM Kellman, a student of the Bishop’s High School, is among 72 youths from secondary schools across the 10 administrative regions and the University of Guyana (UG) participating in the event, being held from August 10 to 18.
“As a youth, it is time that adults see us as more than proxies. We are to be recognised as in this critical time of our lives, we need to be heard. My message to youths, no matter where you come from, no matter your economic and social status, this is an opportunity for us to make a difference and show that teenagers are relevant,” the Youth Prime Minister said.
Representing the Minister of Natural Resources, Devi Singh said she is seeking a new perspective at this year’s sitting. She will decide too, if after her experience, whether she would be pursuing a career in politics.
Singh, who has her eyes on becoming a commercial pilot and an aeronautical engineer, finds herself being pulled in this direction.
“I was advised that I should do it and so far, I’m loving it. Perhaps, I can find myself here being part of parliament and being part of politics. I think it’s good and I am getting a profound understanding of what happens here, she said. ”
Youth Opposition leader, Aaliyah Sharif said in her role, she intends to empower all youths to effect change in society.
“We are given the opportunity to be a voice for them so we need to work diligently to get the information out to there,” she told DPI. Sharif said the young people possess a “different mindset” from adults and in so doing there is a wide scope for inclusion of new ideas. She said her work will not end in the chambers of the National Assembly but will be extended to her local community.
Filling the role of the Minister of State is University of Guyana student, Trevon Chichester who said “I believe that young people are very important to the progress of any country and if more young persons are involved in the National discourse at all levels our country will move forward; we will be more relevant in the Caribbean and Latin America and we will truly take our rightful place in this world.”
Yonnick David, Youth Minister of Social Protection, said he is thrilled at the opportunity of being part of this year’s youth Parliament as it provides an opportunity for better understanding of the parliament and its role. For him, his participation in youth parliament, on the official day to observe United Nations’ International Youth Day, is extremely significant.
“Today is International Youth Day and young people are sitting in our parliament going through our laws, working and understanding how this country operates. It’s a good thing!” Youth Minister David said.
Alexis Rodney
Image: Akeem Peters