The Tribune

SPEAKER of the House of Assembly Dr Kendal Major called on participants in the Youth Parliament 2013 to get involved in providing answers to issues the Bahamas is facing.

“If we want to know what’s happening to the young people with unemployment, with the lack of education and in some areas with crime, we need to speak to you because you have the answers.

“You are the experts in your division. This is an opportunity to be solutions, to be answers and to effect the positive change that this country has come to depend on,” he said.

The Speaker was among legislators welcoming Youth Parliament participants to the chambers of the House of Assembly on Friday at the 14th Youth Parliament.

The purpose of Youth Parliament is to expose Bahamian young people to parliamentary procedures and current issues affecting them.

Young people are selected and trained to make presentations in the House of Assembly.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture as part of the country’s 40th Anniversary of Independence celebrations.

The Youth Parliament resolution included debate on a National Youth Agenda focusing on youth policy, youth institutions and young people in education.

“We’re becoming far too independent and I think we need to become more dependant on God.

“We look to you to assist our country in bringing us back to the place where we ought to be,” the Speaker added.

Prime Minister and Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis told participants that it is important they are exposed to the workings of democracy and the fundamentals of the nation are known.

He said he was happy to see that the country’s future was bright and invited the next generation of leaders to participate and not sit idly by and allow “bad” apples to detract and discourage them from what is best.

Before the debate began in the chambers, junior Governor-General Camille Minnis delivered the Speech from the Throne, outlining the implementation of a national youth policy. She then participated in an inspection of the colour guard led by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Cadets and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers. The Urban Renewal Band provided entertainment.

Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Daniel Johnson also welcomed the young Parliamentarians. Minister of State in the Ministry of Works Renward Wells, Director of Youth Darren Turnquest, government officials, family members and tourists were among those present at the gathering in Rawson Square.