$10,000 for National Youth Council projects

For the past eight or so years, the National Youth Council’s plea for a Youth Parliament to be established here has been unsuccessful. But they became hopeful when their proposal was included in the 2005 youth manifestoes of the Unity Labour Party and New Democratic Party.

Michael Johnson, President of the National Youth Council, has dubbed this as an historic benchmark for the NYC and the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. {{more}}At a brief press conference recently, Johnson revealed that after presenting the proposals to the government, the council was asked to make certain adjustments before it could be enacted. He expanded and said that one of their funding agencies, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), was just waiting on the green light from the government to fund the programme.

$10,000 has already been allotted to the Council to go ahead on projects for the Youth Parliament. “We are grateful for the government’s acceptance and for the funding by the UNDP,” Johnson said. The president mentioned that they only receive $4000 a year to run the NYC and that the National Youth Council in Dominica receives $40,000 a year to carry out their functions. He said that more money was needed to allow the council to carry out their activities.

Johnson pointed out some of the main objectives of the Youth Parliament as being a platform for youth aspiring to be in the political arena, discussing issues of national importance and producing good and well rounded public speakers.

Johnson also noted that the NYC is probably this country’s most legitimate representative for youth. Next month a series of consultations will be held with the different stakeholders to look at plans for the Youth Parliament and to find ways to make it a success. The first Youth Parliament sitting is slated for sometime in November.