Leadership is about serving others – Minister McCoy tells this year’s Youth Parliamentarians

The 84 participants of the 9th Annual Youth Parliament, launched on Monday, August 12, were reminded by its founder, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy, that leadership is not just about making decisions, but about serving others and working tirelessly on behalf of the community and ultimately, the country.

The Youth Parliament is scheduled for August 12 – 18, using a hybrid method of virtual training and physical sittings. This year’s event, according to the Parliament office, promises to be a dynamic and engaging platform for young leaders to voice their ideas, debate critical issues, and influence the future direction of society.

The Youth Parliament serves as a cornerstone for youth engagement in governance, providing an opportunity for aspiring young parliamentarians to experience the legislative process first-hand. Participants are involved in drafting bills, debating policy matters, and engaging in discussions that reflect the pressing concerns of today’s youth.

As he urged the participants to step up and take the reins of leadership, Minister Mc Coy was joined by Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson and Deputy British High Commissioner Judy Kpogho.

While Ms. Kpogho gave an overview of the UK Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Minister Ramson offered some advice to the parliamentarians urging them not to simply go through the motions but to put their all into the role. He advised them to prepare well for their public presentations and reminded them of the importance of teamwork, mentorship, feedback, and quality research.

Meanwhile, this year’s event will feature a series of virtual and physical sessions on Parliamentary etiquette and decorum, the art of public speaking, debates, and plenary sessions designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed for effective leadership. It also offers a unique opportunity for youths from diverse backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions to the challenges facing their communities.

There will be two days of Sittings which will be held physically on Thursday, August 15, and Friday, August 16.

The Sittings will be held in the Chamber of the Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown and of the 84 participants, 39 will be from the junior category and 45 from the senior category. The participants from the junior category were selected by the Ministry of Education (as is customary), from the 11 Education Districts, and from the Young Influencers Programme of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Participants for the senior category were selected from the Second Speaker’s National Youth Debating Competition, the University of Guyana (UG), University of the West Indies (UWI), Government Technical Institute, Linden Technical Institute, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Essequibo Technical Institute, Guyana Industrial Training Centre, and Nations Inc.