Speaker of the House launched Tonga Youth Parliament 2019 ^Featured

This year’s Youth Parliament will run from 10-12 December 2019.

The objectives of the Tonga Youth Parliament are to;

1. Encourage and support youth participation in political processes

2. Help youth better understand parliament’s roles, functions, rules and procedures3. Encourage young people to take an interest in citizenship activities in particular Parliament

4. Bring awareness to the public on youth perspectives regarding matters of national interest and the problems they face.

5. Inspire and empower youth in leadership and decision making youth

The theme for this year “Our Parliament – Bringing Parliament to You” is aligned with the Legislative Assembly’s mission of an inclusive, vibrant and participatory society that leaves no one behind.

This is Parliament’s initiatives to encourage youth participation and to increase awareness of its roles in society. In planning for this year’s Youth Parliament, Lord Fakafanua was very keen to ensure there is a platform where the youth representatives bring to the forefront issues that directly impact the youth our nation they represent.

This year’s event, is unique in the sense that it is planned, managed and run by the youth themselves with the support and supervision of the Tonga Legislative Assembly Office.

The Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua says this is the Legislative Assembly’s continued commitment to youth empowerment, leadership, education and providing a unique platform where the voices of Tonga’s youth and young people can be heard.

“I continue to believe that if there was ever an opportune time to host this significant event, that time would be now … I am enthusiastic about the prospects of this event and that its outcomes will have remarkable impacts for Tonga,” said Lord Speaker

The Youth Parliament will be officially launched on Thursday 7th of November. Invitation of applications will commence as well and all applications closed on Monday, 25 November 2019.

TYP 2019 targets 26 young people who are aspiring leaders, enthusiastic about contributing their perspectives on matters on to apply. All male and female applicants have equal opportunities.

Different stalls including an information booth on Parliament will be displayed tomorrow. Fun games and activities including hip hop dance competition are among featured programs for students and different community and church youth groups.

A TYP 2019 Steering Committee will finalise the 26 participants. Public awareness activities include public meetings, school visits, radio programs among others.

The first Tonga Youth Parliament held in the Kingdom was in 2002.