Senior Magistrate Ivenia Benjamin
The Teachers’ Resource Centre was almost filled to capacity as Anguillian young people came together on Tuesday night for a panel debate, discussion, and a question and answer segment on Promoting Good Governance in Anguilla.
The educational event was the fourth youth forum under the so-called branded Open Mic 4(format) held by the Anguilla National Youth Council Youth Ambassador Corps in collaboration with the Department of Youth and Culture.
Ms Sherise Brooks, Anguilla’s Deputy Youth Ambassador, who chaired the event, described it as follows: “Our panellists are here to engage us in our discussions on guiding principles and best practices for good governance. It will focus on politics, justice or rule of law, financial services and public management.”
In her opening remarks, Governor Scott urged the young people to work hard to build consensus on various matters of public interest not just with other youth organisations, but with other types of organisations to share their views and influence. “If those opportunities don’t come often enough, look for others,” she advised them. “For example, I would love to see more articles by young people in The Anguillian on Friday – and more opinion pieces. There is more you can do through social media. You can organise your friends in your school groups and your communities; go on the radio; do whatever you can, but make sure you make a noise so that you are heard.”
Sitting with the Governor, as fellow panellists, were Senior Magistrate Ms Ivenia Benjamin; Pastor Phillip Gumbs of the Church of God (Holiness); Mrs Tina Bryan-Bannister of the Anguilla Financial Services Commission; and Barrister-at-Law, Ms Paulette Harrigan. Each of the panellists gave three-minute statements, relating to matters of good governance in Anguilla, which were followed by an active question and answer period.
The event provided a great deal of interest among the young people, and the older folk, and was a further avenue of freedom of expression in Anguilla on a very wide range of timely topics.
