Anybody who attended the swearing-in ceremony for the second Anguilla Youth Parliament, on Tuesday, March 19, was undoubtedly highly impressed by the persona, delivery and commitment of the young men and young women who took their oaths of office and allegiance. The well-attired youngsters, drawn from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, seemed to represent the cream of the island’s youth, giving relief and hope to the large gathering that when our present leaders have gone, the future leadership of our beloved island will find lodging and promise in tomorrow’s new leaders.
Certainly, the Government officials, led by Chief Minister Banks, did a fine job not only in welcoming them to the parliamentary process, but instilling in them the seriousness of the occasion – that it was not a play event but in fact a real life leadership engagement. Not only are they to hold the Government accountable, on various issues of governance for the next three years of their appointment, but to put forward the views and interests of their peers, and the island’s general citizenry, in the strongest fashion. It is hoped that their concerns, aspirations and views on national issues, and those of other young people they represent, will be taken on board by the Government – and all and sundry – and incorporated in the governance of Anguilla. If not, the Youth Parliament will fail to accomplish its mission – through no fault of its own.
The young parliamentarians were both assertive and convincing in their brief statements, attracting resounding applause from their attentive listeners. They certainly demonstrated that all is not lost in Anguilla and that, despite some wayward youth in our community, there are many noble and ambitious young people destined to success and leadership. The Department of Youth and Culture, which continues to distinguish itself in promoting the wellbeing of our youth, ought to be complimented for its choice and training of the members of the Youth Parliament.
The swearing-in of the Youth Parliament has come at an opportune time. It is when preparations are being made for the 2020 general district elections, in the seven constituencies, and the island-wide voting for four candidates – the latter, perhaps, a fraction of what may be a larger number of candidates. The electioneering campaigns, and the issues at stake, should be of much enlightenment to the young parliamentarians who now carry the same titles as Chief Minister, Deputy Governor, Ministers, First and Second Nominated Members, Parliamentary Secretary, Speaker and Deputy Speaker held by the Government officials, making up the Executive Council and the House of Assembly. The issues raised on the political platforms should help to guide their own ideas and actions, but there will be a need to carefully decipher truth from fiction; reality from deceit; and leadership skills from mere politicking and opportunism.
There could be no better time than now to involve our youth in the leadership of Anguilla for several other reasons. The island has reached a point where there are advanced constitutional plans involving new, brighter and more responsible ideas of governance; where there is a greater emphasis on social and economic development; and where the full thrust of the Anguilla Revolution – conceived and followed through over a half century ago, and the ultimate vision of our forebears – must find real meaning and fulfillment. The burden of that vision lies on the shoulders of tomorrow’s leaders – hopefully many of those in the current Youth Parliament.
At present the future of Anguilla, though now threatened and obscured by various challenges, appear to be bright. It will take commitment, resolve and hard work to accomplish the task and mission before us. In order for the island and its people to be well-positioned to meet the demands of the future, and those of the new generations of Anguillians, we have to begin from now to work towards that goal. Despite the many challenges facing us, it is an exciting time to lead Anguilla and to be counted among those taking the brunt of that responsibility.
