A Working Definition
Globally, national youth parliaments have emerged as credible mechanisms to promote active-citizenship. Youth parliaments are indeed strategic frameworks to accentuate young people’s knowledge, skills and competencies, in the principles and practice of parliamentary democracy and good governance. Despite differences in structure, composition and operating procedures youth parliaments across the globe, essentially provide platforms for young people to articulate, specific youth related issues and concerns but most importantly, to share their perspectives on matters of national importance.
The youth parliament must also provide the opportunity and framework to enhance young people’s contribution to the development of public policy and legislation. Youth Parliaments are also effective tools to facilitate the development of leadership skills and competencies. Youth parliaments should also contribute to cultivating a healthy interest and active participation in national democratic political processes.
Furthermore they can also serve as useful mechanisms to support the reformation and re-invigoration of governance and political processes within communities and national spheres, wherever necessary. An efficiently functioning youth parliament programme could help foster respect for diversity, social inclusion and solidarity among young people. Finally, a youth parliament can be considered a strategic investment and intervention in accentuating young people’s roles as agents of change.
