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| A section of participants. |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (September 08, 2006): Young people were given an opportunity to voice their opinions and make recommendations on the electoral reform process during a meeting, Thursday night.
Bambu's, a popular side walk café and bar frequented by young people, was the venue for the first official youth-oriented event organized by the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee (ERCC). A fair-sized crowd packed into the café and discussed issues pertaining to voter registration, campaign finance reform, the establishment of the National Identification Card, constituency boundaries, the relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis and more.
Jacqueline Bryant of the St. Kitts National Youth Parliamentary Association (SKNYPA) commended her peers for coming to this session to participate. She encouraged young people to become better informed on issues affecting society.
"We don't do things for ourselves. We always say, what are you doing to educate me and & get information to me," she questioned. "All of the offices are there. All of the institutions are there. If you can't find the information, you need to ask a question. Find out how you can get it.
"& For example & you hear both sides talking about the Commonwealth Report (on electoral reform). Go down to Government Headquarters. Find out how you can get a Commonwealth Report. Read it for yourself. Don't take their word for it."
At the end of the session, participants expressed pleasure with the meeting and the thrust of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee to involve young people in the process.
"I am so very much impressed with the fact that they are having this open forum for young people," Dr. Garfield Alexander said, while Michellina Charles Mills raved about the process and the youth-oriented slogan "Do the Dutty Wuk." "We are the future generation and this is our struggle now," she explained, referring to wide sweeping changes which need to be made to the current electoral system. "Involving us (young people) is definitely a good thing to do, otherwise if you don't, you will just give us a society without any awareness of what to do next."
Mutryce Williams of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee moderated the session along with James Browne of Youth Impact Ministries. Ms. Williams told SKNIS that she was pleased with the activity which was relaxed, interactive and informative.
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| Mutryce Williams (right) moderated along with James Brown |
"I thought that the meeting was a great success," she explained. "The input that was given by the young people & was tremendous. It did prove that young people are & interested, not just in the political process but in the generalized development of St. Kitts and Nevis"
The consultation schedule and additional information is available on the worldwide web at www.newelectoralframework.gov.kn.
Meanwhile, the next youth oriented activity takes place on Wednesday, August 13, during a luncheon at the Sugar Bay Club. Persons are invited to make 3 to 5 minute presentations on any issue concerning electoral reform. Visits to schools, a panel discussion and trips to youth hot spots are also planned by Ms. Williams to get more young people involved in the process.
All nationals and residents are encouraged to participate in the various consultations.
~~Adz:Right~~
