Twenty-two young people from seven countries around the region gathered Thursday morning to carry out a legislative debate about youth involvement in politics at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
Arranged into “team government” and “team opposition,” the Regional Youth Parliament had all the details of a legislative sitting: a House Speaker and assigned government ministers, large wooden desks, and even the ceremonial mace.
Including young people in formal government is “integral to the growth and development of any representative democracy,” said the Virgin Islands’ Brianna Nelson, who was the deputy premier and minister of natural resources and labour.
What’s more, Ms. Nelson said, youth participation in the political process should not be limited to “pre-electoral” activities. She said the “post electoral period” is actually the most important time for young people to be involved.
“Avenues for communication and criticism should be open to all citizens, including youth,” she said, adding that especially in the climate change-prone Caribbean, young people and their new ideas are badly needed.
On the opposition side, Kladius Maynard, also of the VI, said that while the intention of government to get more young people involved is a noble one, he thought the region would be better served by encouraging more civic, rather than political, participation.
“In the BVI, we have civic organisations such as the Rotary Club, the Family Support Network, Red Cross,” Mr. Maynard said. He added that civic engagement would build non-partisan “truly ethical leaders,” rather than funnelling young people into the ruling party.
Barbados’ Ade O’Neal offered a different suggestion to get young people involved in politics: lowering the voting age to 16.
“This would send a clear message to the youth that they matter. Their voices matter and their issues matter,” he said.
Mr. O’Neal said since the region finds it acceptable to give 16-year-olds the responsibility of deciding to engage in sexual activity and deal with the consequences, it makes sense to allow them to choose their leaders.
The debate was held as part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s 40th Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Region, which continues through Aug. 1.