Youths getting a taste of political life

Young people are getting a taste of active citizenship thanks to three projects being organised by the National Youth Council: the National Youth Parliament, the Commonwealth Youth Forum 5 and Local Youth Councils.

The National Youth Parliament will be held for the second year running at the House of Representatives on September 15, when youths aged between 16 and 25 will experience Parliament through a simulated session presided over by the Speaker, Anton Tabone.

The 57 participants, nominated by various youth organisations and local councils, have been grouped into four "political parties". Each party was given a series of themes which will be discussed within the "party" and then in Parliament.

At the moment, the "parties" are discussing and preparing themselves for the event.

The council is a major partner in the organisation of the Commonwealth Youth Forum 5. It was directly involved in the choice of themes for discussion and the logistics and criteria used for the choice of the participants.

The council is in contact with other national youth councils within the Commonwealth and is also a member of the selection committee for the Maltese delegation.

The last project, Local Youth Councils, is being held for the second year running, with the aim of getting young people to take part in the running of local councils.

In May, the council held two meetings about the project for all local councils and in July another meeting was held for the 15 councils which had decided to take part.

Each of these councils are in the process of organising their own general assemblies for the participating youths, aged between 14 and 18, who will submit their proposals to the mayor and councillors via their local council executive to be elected in the assembly.