Junior Minister for Tourism in the Virgin Islands (VI), Hon Sharie B. deCastro (AL) has participated in the first-ever Virtual Commonwealth Youth Parliament where she also served as Speaker of the House. Photo: VINO/File

The event which saw the participation of around 50 youth parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth, was held from Monday, December 14, 2020, to Friday, December 18, 2020. Photo: Internet Source

The event which saw the participation of around 50 youth parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth, was held from Monday, December 14, 2020, to Friday, December 18, 2020.

Member were also able to debate the bill entitled, “Youth unemployment caused by the international outbreak of COVID-19 and its effects on the fictional jurisdiction that acts as a backdrop to the programme, Commonwealth land”.

Enjoyable experience @ Youth Parliament – Hon deCastro

Hon de Castro via a release from the Government Information Service said that she enjoyed her experience and was able to appreciate her role as both Preceding Officer/Speaker of the House during the event.

 “On the fourth day of the Commonwealth Youth Parliament meeting, I had the role of Speaker of the House, where I invited participants to contribute to the debate which was to address youth unemployment and its effects caused by the international outbreak of COVID-19.  During this time, I was able to appreciate the animated contributions made by youth parliamentarians across the Commonwealth,” she said.

The VI legislator further said that she was pleased to see youths debate the bill presented and was convinced that they are aware of global issues thus able to make impressive contributions.

A platform for like-minded youths 

The Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) is one that provides an opportunity for Youths from across the Commonwealth to experience aspects of parliamentary democracy and it also provides a platform for them to networks with peers.

The event also provides experiences of a ‘real-life’ working parliament or legislature and in the programme, with formal parliamentary practice adapted from several Commonwealth countries under the purview of experienced parliamentary officials.