Background:
The National Youth Parliament is held under the auspices of the Trinidad and Tobago Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The CPA is, originally, a British organization, which works to support the principles of good governance, democracy and human rights. It was founded as the Empire Parliamentary Association in 1911, with its first Branches being Australia, Cana
da, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the latter Branch administering the association as a whole. In 1948 the association changed its name to the current Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and allowed all Branches to take part in the administration of the organization. The branches are grouped into nine Commonwealth regions- Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and the Mediterranean; Canada; India; Pacific, and South – East Asia Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic of which Trinidad and Tobago is part. Jacqui Sampson, currently serves as Regional Secretary of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Since the 1990s, the 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. The CPA holds periodic Commonwealth Youth Parliaments and encourages Parliaments and Legislatures to support local Youth Parliaments to enable young people to experience making laws, debating issues, conducting committee work and even changing governments, all within the rules of parliamentary conduct. The National Youth Parliament is an occasion where sixth form students from schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago engage in a mock Parliamentary Debate. For one day the students assume the roles of varying Members of Parliament and discuss proposed legislation or motions. In order to remain true to the real debate, students also perform in the capacities of the members of the Parliament staff who assist the elected representatives in their duties. The event became a biennial one, since then with debates taking place in 1989 and as far up to 1995. However, as a result of representations made by a number of schools, a decision was taken in 2005 by the Executive Committee of the Local Branch of the CPA to make it an annual event. According to the CPA, Youth Parliament is one method of encouraging young people to understand the principles and skills which underpin democracy and civil society. It also provides them with a forum to express their ideas, concerns and expectations with regard to democracy. The National Youth Parliament has its core several objectives which we hoped are achieved not only on the day on which the debate takes place but also during preparation stage. They are to:
• foster youth development through social dialogue,
• give young people the opportunity to have their views heard by key decision- makers and the general public,
• help young people to understand and actively participate in parliamentary processes,
• help young people learn how to influence governmental decision-making as active citizens,
• highlight the importance of helping young people understand how decisions are made and how they can be involved in influencing their worlds. Trinidad and Tobago is not the only English –speaking Caribbean nation to hold a National Youth Parliament. Several other countries including Jamaica, Barbados and St. Lucia also have this activity. Bermuda, with its well- oiled parliamentary machinery, has a Youth Parliamentary debate every month.
