The 92 youth participants for the 10th Annual Youth Parliament kicked off their debates on Thursday with a focus on tackling social issues plaguing the nation.
These debates prepare participants for future roles in public service, politics, and community leadership. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton were in attendance at the first debates presented for the junior and senior categories.
At the Parliament Buildings, Brickdam, where the debates are being held, the Speaker advised the debaters to be respectful and use the event as an opportunity to prepare for their own roles in the future.
“It’s all about democracy and freedom, freedom in a society where you can express your views, where you can associate with whoever you want without fear and more particularly, the opportunity to stand for and to elect persons to pass laws, to execute programmes, and to judge people fairly.
“In a few years’ time, in the next elections, more of you will be voting, it’s not just casting a vote but understanding the process and the system in which that process operates,” the Speaker said.
Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir during a previous briefing.
He said the event is not just about competing in a debate but following guidance from elders, understanding what a democracy is and maintaining standards.
To kick off the debates, Tafawa Adridge, the Minister of Legal Affairs in the junior category, put forward a motion to amend the juvenile justice act to allow persons who are first time juvenile offenders to undergo restorative justice.
His strong presentation noted that by amending the act, first time juvenile offenders, found guilty, would be able to undergo a reform process, a move that would ensure a brighter future upon completion of sentences.
“The Rights of the Child Commission revealed that 70 per cent of youths at the New Opportunity Corp were incarcerated for acts no longer even considered crimes under the juvenile justice act. These are not hardened criminals, they are our sons and daughters, deserving of a chance to rebuild their future,” Adridge said.
Tafawa Adridge, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Shadow Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Opposition Chief Whip, Lilian Thomas.
However, Youth Parliamentarian, Shadow Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Opposition Chief Whip, Lilian Thomas said without the relevant infrastructure, the objectives of such an amendment would not be met.
“Implementing this motion would require significant government spending on upgrading facilities, creating training programmes, and qualified professionals. This motion provides no budget estimates, no timelines, no accountability mechanism,” Thomas said.
Part of her argument also highlighted that most of the professionals in the country are based in central regions, another shortcoming for the success of the motion.
The week of activities commenced on Tuesday with training sessions. An award ceremony will also be held at the weekend to recognise the exemplary work of the youth parliamentarians.
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