PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 - With over 50 per cent of its citizens under the age of 25, the Caribbean Commonwealth as of late has been allowing its young people to get actively involved in its programmes. Since the 1990s, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associaiton (CPA) has widened its focus to include the promotion of the Commonwealth and parliamentary democracy to young people.
These include marking Commonwealth Day and holding Youth Parliaments. These activities provide young people with a forum to express their ideas, concerns and expectations with regard to democracy, and to do it in a Commonwealth context with young people from other member countries.
The Turks and Caicos Islands, a member of this esteem Association, like others in the region, has taken on the responsiblitity of establishing a Youth Parliament for this country.
Members of this working committee include the Minister of Education Dr. the Hon. Carlton Mills, Opposition Appointed Member Hon. Doug Parnell MP, Lawyer - Mr. Wendal Swann, Mr. Deveraux Malcolm, Commissioner at the Public Service Commission and Mr. Dudley Been, Deputy Clerk at the House of Assembly. Additionally, personnel from the Department of Youth Affairs are assisting the committee.
The invitation to become members of the first National Youth Parliament was extended to persons between the ages 11 – 25 years. Screenings were held on each of the major Islands in the Turks and Caicos during the months of June and July 2008; over 61 applications were received.
At the time of application, participants had to have been residents of the country and, must have been in the education system for at least 2 years before applying. Participants were assessed on:
- Personal appearance
- Interest and enthusiasm
- Responses to questions
- Confidence
- Awareness of current affairs
- Presentation skills as each participant was required to prepare a presentation on 'What benefits would I like to see the Youth Parliament make to youth development in the Turks & Caicos Islands'
Hon Doug Parnell, Mr. Deveraux Malcolm, Mr. Dudley Been, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, National Youth Director and Mr. Justin Missick, former RegionalYouth Ambassador did the screening sessions.
As it stands, preparations are currently under way to host training sessions for the Youth Parliamentarians and to prepare them for the opening of their house.
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The twenty-nine (29) participants were chosen with island distribution as follows:
North Caicos
- Leonardo Glasgow
- Terrica Walkin
- Arza Fulford
- Kenya Swan
- Kayla Higgs
- Kanisha Stubbs
- Rashunda Campbell
- Jessica Johnson
- Jervon Hall
- Ashchenaz Missick
Grand Turk
- Raven Saunders
- Ervin Jones
- Letitia Williams
- Darnel Lightbourne
- Altricia Robinson
- Lurita Ewing
South Caicos
- Kayon Cox
- Keandra Robinson
- Kiana Taylor
- Aundrenique Ewing
- Synkero Missick
- Wilson Gibson
Providenciales
- Deandra Rigby
- Deangelo Rigby
- Dimaggio Rigby
- Arnelle Taylor
- Jerwina Taylor
- Nevsky Been
- Akilah Handfield
