Youth Parliament Approves National Youth Policy

Tuesday May 02, 2000 - On Friday April 28, 2000 young Saint Lucian men and women participating in the fourth session of the “Youth Parliament,” approved the National Youth Policy Document. Still to be presented to Cabinet for approval, the National Youth Policy Document was the focus of the Youth Parliament, which formed part of activities to celebrate April as Youth Month.

Nineteen members of "Parliament" representing their constituencies, put forward their respective concerns in discussing the National Youth Policy, which is a draft to make way for legislation pertaining to the plight and recommendations of young people, in pursuit of an improved quality of life.

Miss Mary Wilfred who acted in the position of Her Excellency, the Governor General, in her "throne speech" said, “For many young people a youth policy is not a simple document. It is a social action plan indicating a statement of commitment of our society that we are serious about youth issues and are prepared to uncompromisingly pursue its fulfillment.”

As the various "parliamentarians" brought across their points in a sometimes sarcastic, but forceful and firm manner, they reached out to a wider cross section of the public, soliciting the cooperation of all citizens and organizations to adopt the recommendations of the National Youth Policy Document.

According to a recent national youth survey unemployment is the most serious problem facing young people today. The National Youth Policy Document seeks to address this problem and others, such as youth and health, youth and crime, teenage pregnancy, youth and religion, education and training, sports and recreation.

The National Youth Policy is a document aimed at allowing the nation’s youth to participate in all activities geared towards the development of the country. Prior to its adoption by Parliament, the major phases in its formulation process included consultations with youth and various organizations like trade unions, reviewing youth policies from other Commonwealth countries, and compiling all relevant information for writing the final document and carrying out a general review.

The first attempt at creating a National Youth Policy can be dated back to 1987, when the National Youth Council (the NYC) presented a white paper outlining problems that young people faced.

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