The Tribune

A SPECIAL session of Youth in Parliament has been announced as part of the ongoing 40th independence anniversary celebrations.

National Independence Commission co-chairman Charles Carter said the session will be held on Friday, July 26 at 10am.

“The Commission wishes to focus once again on an event of an educational nature headed by our young people,” Mr Carter said.

“This event holds particular significance as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of independence, where the country is looking toward passing the baton on to a new generation of Bahamians,” he said. “The goal is to involve young Bahamians in every aspect of our country’s development.”

Mr Carter said it is extremely important to invest in the nation’s youth as all endeavour to build a bridge to the future and continue the journey, as articulated in the celebration’s theme. “Our youth are our greatest human asset and must be engaged in meaningful ways in major decision making,” he said.

Mr Carter said it is anticipated that the upcoming Extraordinary Session of Youth in Parliament will assist in both recognising the significance of the 40th anniversary of independence, and celebrating the role young people will play in the bridge to the future. “The framework must be put in place to enable contributions of our youth to be incorporated into our national development,” Mr Carter said.

“We are at a critical point in our country’s development, 40 years of Independence, 46 years since Majority Rule and over 270 years of Parliamentary Democracy,” he said. “It is for this reason that it is vitally important for us to prepare our young people in a meaningful way, to take up their roles in the new Bahamas, and what better time than now.

“The commission invites all Bahamian citizens and residents to share in this very important event.”