Cayman Islands’ youth are poised to take over the Legislative Assembly. Students from nine local educational institutions are briskly preparing for the ninth annual Youth Parliament, sponsored by law firm Harneys. The event is scheduled for Commonwealth Day, Monday, 14^th March 2016 from 10.30 a.m.

The young people represent Cayman Brac’s Layman E. Scott Sr. High School as well as Cayman Prep & High School, Clifton Hunter High School, Grace Christian Academy, John Gray High School, St. Ignatius Catholic School, Triple C School, the University College of the Cayman Islands and Wesleyan Christian Academy on Grand Cayman.

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Mrs. Zena Merren-Chin commented, “We are grateful to Harneys for their generosity and support for this year’s Youth Parliament, which provides a great development opportunity for the students involved. The preparations help the students understand the functioning of the Cayman Islands’ Legislature and get them ready to conduct legislative business on their own on the day of the Youth Parliament.”

The students were allowed to choose the topics of debate and their roles in the Youth Parliament, including whether to serve on the government or opposition benches, Starting in February, they met Tuesdays and Saturdays to prepare for the debates. They will be tackling the topics of abortion and the public transport system, Mrs. Merren-Chin explained.

Overall, the event provides the participants an invaluable experience, including debating and public speaking skills, she noted.

Mr. Marco Martins, Managing Partner of Harneys’ Cayman office said, “Support of education and youth programmes is a key part of Harneys’ corporate social responsibility activities, and we believe that investment in the development of our young people is critical to building a strong future for the Cayman Islands.”

The youth have received lectures from members of the Cayman Islands Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which organises the event annually. Lectures included on: the Legislative Assembly, the roles of the Speaker, the Governor, the Clerk, the Serjeant-at-Arms, the Government and the Opposition as well as parliamentary practice and procedures.

“The Youth Parliament relies on sponsorships to run this programme and this year we are especially grateful to Harneys for their sponsorship of the 2016 Youth Parliament,” Mrs. Merren-Chin added.

Photo captions: Photos by Bina Mani

Mr. Marco Martins, Managing Partner of Harneys in the Cayman Islands presents the sponsorship cheque to the Youth Parliamentarians.

Guided by LA Clerk Mrs. Zena Merren-Chin, Cayman Islands’ youth are once again getting ready to take over the Legislative Assembly for a day on Monday, 14 March 2016, when the Youth Parliament, sponsored by Harneys, will take place. She is seen here with the government bench in practise.

Opposition MLA Mr. Ezzard Miller advises the Youth Parliament opposition bench on debating techniques.