On behalf of the Anguilla Youth Parliament (AYP) and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all a prosperous new year, especially the youth of this nation.
As we meditate on the many turns of events which lead us to this very point in time, we have made several resolutions or self rules which we intend to abide by as we aim for success, peace and harmony with ourselves and those we come into contact with in 2016. With the coming of a new year, many of us have reflected on where we started in 2015, where we are now and where we want to be in 2016.
The members of the Anguilla Youth Parliament have too reflected on the experience gained, strong bonds made and the lessons learned since their installation on October 5, 2015. This reflection has been guided by the vision of the AYP which is “Young people empowered and engaged as transformational leaders and strategic partners in Anguilla’s governance and development ethos.” The AYP has provided a forum to articulate the collective aspirations of young people and their perspectives on matters of national, regional and international importance.
In the three months that the AYP has been active, interest has been high for the opinion of the AYP on matters of national importance. I would like to assure our youth that the AYP was willing and eager to provide positions on several bills which passed through the Anguilla House of Assembly but unfortunately was not afforded ample time for a critical revision of many of those bills which found the AYP unable to provide grounded positions and recommendations to the Anguilla Government, from a youth perspective – an important function of the AYP. On the other hand, the Police Amendment Bill 2015 is one bill which has been taken up by the AYP and is now in committee stage. A report and recommendations, to be put forward to the Anguilla Government, will follow after the next sitting of the AYP on Thursday 14 January, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building.
This year, the AYP envisions a continued increase in youth civic engagement and a closer relationship with the Anguilla Government which will create a system of communication and provide access to policy and ample time for the deliberation and compilation of recommendations, presented by the AYP, which will play an important role in national decision making.
As youth, we are creative, knowledgeable and passionate and through the ultimate form of youth involvement – that is, the Anguilla Youth Parliament – can find a realization of our 2016 New Year resolutions, dreams and aspirations.
Sincerely,
Clemvio Hodge
Chief Minister,
Anguilla Youth Parliament
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
