Webster-Bourne
A National Youth Parliament was launched at the Atlin Harrigan Parliamentary Building in Anguilla on Wednesday, September 24, as part of Youth Week.
Ms Joleyne Robin, Programme Officer in the Department of Youth and Culture, said that the Anguilla National Youth Policy provided, seven years ago, for the establishment of a Youth Parliament. She intimated that now that the Department had been expanded, it was in a better position to launch the initiative. She explained that the Youth Parliament was identified “as an essential institution to further youth development in Anguilla as is the case throughout most of the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth.”
Ms Robin credited Mrs Barbara Webster-Bourne, Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly, for her ongoing efforts and discussions with Mr Bren Romney, Director of Youth and Culture, to create the Youth Parliament. It is envisaged that the Youth Parliament should commence operations in the last quarter of 2015.
Mrs Webster-Bourne described the launch of the Youth Parliament as a big leap forward. “This concept is one that I passionately endorse, as we aim to uplift, develop and empower our youth to be successful in being positive agents of change in our communities and our beloved island of Anguilla,” she stated. “The Youth Parliament will give young people the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, debate and public speaking skills and thinking power, through education on parliamentary procedures and practices.”
Mr Timothy Hodge, Director of Social Security, said it was fitting that the island’s future parliamentarians were trained and made aware of the principles and practices befitting a place of honour like parliament. He underscored the need for parliamentarians to show proper decorum and respect as they make laws to govern Anguilla.
Mr Hodge stressed that they should also be made aware not “to hide beneath the cloak of parliamentary privilege and abuse members of the public who cannot respond to this cowardly and unseemly practice.” He also hoped that “there will be some process whereby those who will be charged with electing future parliamentarians are also educated into what constitutes an enlightened and responsible electorate.”
Mr Hodge was pleased that the Social Security Board had undertaken to providing funding in the amount of EC$25,111.60 to assist in establishing the National Youth Parliament.
