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News > What if young people ran the country?
What if young people ran the country?
8 July 2007
"Today 121 Youth MPs from around the country take over Parliament to provide a youth voice on current issues during Youth Parliament 07," says Youth Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Youth Parliament, which is held every 3-4 years, will be officially
opened by the Governor-General Anand Satyanand and the Prime Minister
Helen Clark this morning.
"Youth Parliament provides an exciting opportunity for these Youth MPs
to understand the parliamentary decision-making process and how they
can contribute to it. It gives them the chance to express their views
to politicians, government officials and the public," says Nanaia
Mahuta.
"The Youth MPs' programme mirrors the way Parliament functions as
closely as possible and they'll debate and vote on climate change
legislation, have the opportunity to question Cabinet Ministers, and
they'll sit on Select Committees to consider issues and submissions in
some depth.
"Young people in New Zealand are an amazingly talented and diverse
group and make up a significant proportion of our population. We need
to use opportunities like this to listen to the positive voices of
young people," says Nanaia Mahuta.
The Minister will table the Select Committee reports in Parliament so
they will be available to all MPs, and the Youth Press Gallery and
other media will also report on Youth Parliament 07.
For the first time a contingent of 24 youth observers from around the
Pacific will sit in on Youth Parliament to learn about New Zealand's
parliamentary and democratic processes.
"Youth Parliament is an opportunity to showcase the passion and
commitment of these young people who are actively involved in making
their communities – and country - a better place," says Nanaia Mahuta.
"They are our future leaders and decision-makers. And maybe some of them will be back here as MPs.”
Youth Parliament 2007 – Further information
- Youth Parliament is organised by Youth Affairs Minister Hon
Nanaia Mahuta, the Ministry of Youth Development in consultation with
the Office of the Speaker and the Multi Party Steering Committee for
Youth Parliament (led by MP and former Youth MP Darren Hughes, and
representatives from each party)
- Every electorate and list MP has selected a Youth MP - by a
method of their choice eg competition, online ballot, panel etc
- Nearly 1000 young people submitted a topic for debate at
Youth Parliament. The Youth MPs chose the topics using the STV (single
transferable vote) process
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