Two Caymanians Join Future Parliamentary Leaders

· Adrian Stewart and Chauntae Martinez represent the Cayman Islands at the ninth Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Jersey next week.

· Participants will experience parliament in a real-life situation.

· The programme aims to prepare future parliamentary leaders and networking opportunities.

Two Caymanian Youth Parliamentarians, Chauntae Martinez (19) and Adrian Stewart (21) will represent the Cayman Islands in the ninth Commonwealth Youth Parliament (9th CYP) that takes place next week in Jersey.

Chauntae and Adrian leave by Cayman Airways Saturday, 24 February 2018 to attend the event.

Chauntae has participated in the Cayman Islands Youth Parliament for three years including last year when she was the Speaker. She is now an associates’ degree student at University College of the Cayman Islands.

Adrian headed the Government Bench as Premier in the CI Youth Parliament in 2014 and was also a part of the CI delegation at the 10th Regional Youth Parliamentary Debate in Barbados. He is currently a medical student at St. Matthews University.

They will be part of over 50 Commonwealth youth delegates aged 18 to 29 who will convene next week for the 9th CYP, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the States Assembly in St Helier, Jersey.

According to a CPA press release, the week-long Commonwealth Youth Parliament provides a key development opportunity for young people from the Commonwealth with ambitions of public office and is designed to demonstrate to potential future young Parliamentarians the fundamentals behind the processes of Parliament.

The CYP gives participants a Pan-Commonwealth experience and a hugely valuable networking opportunity with other participants from across the Commonwealth as well as with current Members of Parliament from different jurisdictions who act as mentors throughout the week. The CYP offers participants an opportunity to experience one of the key institutions which underpin democracy and good governance, the release states.

In a notable departure from previous years, the 9th CYP will, in recognition of the non-party system in the States Assembly in Jersey, see youth participants acting as the Government, Opposition and independents sitting together, allowing for the wider sharing of opinions and engagement in debates.

Participants will experience parliamentary life in a real-life situation in the legislative chamber and the programme will include taking part in parliamentary procedures, debating legislation and motions, and facing the press in a ‘mock’ media conference, the release adds.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Mr Akbar Khan, who will attend the opening of the 9th CYP in Jersey, said: “I am delighted to be able to attend the 9th Commonwealth Youth Parliament at the States Assembly in Jersey. With 60% of the Commonwealth’s population aged under 30, the Commonwealth Youth Parliament is one of the key programmes organised by the CPA and responds to the needs of its young constituents. The CPA recognises that young people have a proven capability to lead change, and are a vital and valuable investment for now and the future.”

Mark Egan, Greffier of the States Assembly, adds: “We are delighted to welcome so many young people from across the Commonwealth to Jersey for this exciting and unique opportunity. The Commonwealth Youth Parliament will allow young people to develop their leadership skills and experience our historic Parliament, as well as empower them to make a positive difference in shaping the future of their own communities.”

The 9th CYP was originally to be hosted by the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands in October 2017, before the devastating effects of the hurricanes which affected larger parts of the northern Caribbean, according to the release.

Follow and join the conversation #CYP9 on Twitter @CPA_Secretariat and @StatesAssembly for all of the latest news and debates from the 9th Commonwealth Youth Parliament, the release adds.

The Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) is one of the CPA’s most popular programmes and brings together participants aged 18-29 representing the nine CPA Regions – Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; Canada; India; Pacific; South-East Asia.

The full list of CPA Branches being represented at the 9th Commonwealth Youth Parliament are: Australia Capital Territory; Barbados; Belize; British Columbia (Canada); Cayman Islands; Cook Islands; Falkland Islands; Ghana; Gibraltar; Guernsey; Guyana; Isle of Man; Jamaica; Jersey; Kenya; Kerala; Montserrat; Nevis Island; New South Wales (Australia); New Zealand; Niue; Northern Territory (Australia); North West Territories (Canada); Ontario (Canada); Pakistan (National Assembly); Pakistan; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Scotland; South Australia; Sri Lanka; St Helena; Tonga; Turks and Caicos; UK; Wales; Zambia. Final list of participants is subject to change.

The 9th CYP logo has been designed by 18 year old student, Fleur Breen from Jersey. She is currently studying Art & Design at Highlands College Jersey and hopes to study Graphic Design at University. She was inspired by one of Jersey’s most iconic symbols, the Jersey cow, and chose the outline of the map of Jersey so that delegates from around the world have an idea of its shape.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), now in its 107th year, exists to develop, promote and support Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and to implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

Visit www.cpahq.org for further information. Images are available on request. Social Media: Join the conversation online: Twitter @CPA_Secretariat | Facebook.com/CPAHQ. For further information, please contact: Aisha Gilani, Head of Public Outreach and Communications, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Email: [email protected].

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Photo captions:

Adrian Stewart

Chauntae Martinez