On Thursday 3rd December, the Anguilla Youth Parliament held its third meeting at the Atlin Noraldo Building at 5:32 pm. The session commenced with a prayer by the Youth Parliament’s Chief Minister, Mr. Clemvio Hodge. This was followed by the swearing in of the 1st Nominated member – Ms. Diaz Mussington, and the Youth Member for Road South,Ms. Brittany Jeffers.
The sitting was well attended with members of the public who showed a keen interest in the proceedings. Honourable mention was made of the presence of the Student Councils of both the Morris Vanterpool and Adrian T. Hazell Primary Schools, who sat in on the session for the first time.
Two inspirational speeches were delivered by Mr. Alexis Connor and Mr. Clashaun Richardson of Her Majesty’s Prison in which they both urged youths to be civically engaged as well as volunteering for the benefit of their country. Mr. Connor expressed that “we must engage youth through social media; however the feet on the ground approach is more essential.”
The Youth Minister, Member for Valley South, Ms. Kemoloy Murphy recently attended the First OECS Children’s Rights Symposium in St. Kitts. She prepared a report detailing her experience which was read in her absence by the Member for Valley North. Questions were posed to the Member for Valley South by the Opposition Member for Island Harbour. She inquired about the nature of the conference, whether the information learned would be beneficial to Anguilla and how might the information be implemented in her capacity as Youth Parliament Minister of Social Development.
A motion was moved by the Member for West End to form a committee to further explore the recommendations from the Ninth Annual National Youth Conference on Youth and Development. These recommendations spoke to an increased application and integration of technology to allow for an e-government platform, improved broadband services at all points of service and increased use of electronic devices across all demographics. Also, the Anguilla Government was asked to develop, enhance and enforce policies that provide incentives and tax breaks to micro and small youth enterprises during the infancy status of the business (3-5 years).
The findings from the committee are to be presented at a future sitting of the Anguilla Youth Parliament. A short debate by Members then ensued after the motion was moved and seconded.
The first reading of the Anguilla Police (Amendment) Bill, 2015 also took place. Preparations are being made for the debate which will occur after the second reading of the Anguilla Police (Amendment) Bill, 2015 by the Anguilla Youth Parliament.
Join the Anguilla Youth Parliament on 17th December at 5:30 pm for the next sitting.
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
