Youth Parliaments
The literature on youth parliaments generally provide a synopsis of the history, conceptualization, rationale, objectives, organizational structures and functioning of these entities. It also explicitly and implicitly identifies several, co-related functions and objective of youth parliaments. Among these functions and objectives include:
- Enhanced youth engagement and participation
- Facilitate active citizenship
- Enhanced youth leadership skills and competencies
- Facilitate a better appreciation for the systems and processes of democratic governance
- Promote rule of law
- Enhanced knowledge of parliamentary processes
- Promote cultural diversity, social inclusion and social cohesion
- Enhanced communication skills
- Enhanced inter-generational relationships
- Promote international solidarity
These functions and objectives, are synonymous with the concept of positive youth development; embodies the spirit of the Anguilla National Youth Policy (2003); CARICOM Commission on Youth Development recommendations; and are consistent with the principles and policy goals of the International Parliamentary Union, World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY, 2000 and Beyond), The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE 2007-2015), the Baku Commitment on Youth Policy and indeed the Paris Principles on Aid Effectiveness.
