“Young people’s voices, ideas and actions are essential”– PM tells Youth Parliamentarians

As the 8th Annual Youth Parliament concluded on Friday, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips reiterated the Government’s commitment to empowering and involving young citizens in shaping Guyana’s growth trajectory.
Youth Parliament is a chance for selected youths to enhance their public speaking skills while working to find solutions to key political, social and economic issues.
During an awards ceremony and reception on Friday at the Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the Prime Minister commended the participants and noted the importance of promoting opportunities for them to voice their opinions and ideas.
“Young people’s voices, ideas, and actions are desirable and essential. Your generation, equipped with a unique blend of technological prowess, global connectivity, and an unquenchable thirst for justice, has unprecedented power to steer societies towards progress and equality,” Phillips said.

He explained that initiatives such as the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme and the President’s Youth Advisory Council are testament to the Government’s dedication to empowering young people and integrating their interests into the national agenda.
“When young people engage in activities such as these, their participation serves as a powerful reminder that the issues they care about—be it climate change, social justice, education, or healthcare—are not abstract concepts but real challenges that require practical solutions. When we sit at the table with our young people, we allow their ideas to breathe life into policy discussions, shape legislative agendas, and make their concerns part of the national conversation.”
The Prime Minister further highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts to boost youth employment, homeownership and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills development.
These initiatives, he explained, are part of a comprehensive vision to improve the quality of life for young citizens, enabling them to become influential community and national leaders.

Along with Prime Minister Phillips, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir; Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues; Deputy British High Commissioner Judy Kpogho, and representatives from the University of the West Indies attended the event.
The 8th Annual Youth Parliament opened on August 12, with 86 young people participating. In addition to the sittings of the Youth Parliament on August 17 and 18, participants received mentorship and relevant information on the role of the Parliament, as well as public speaking skills.
During Youth Parliament’s opening ceremony, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy had expressed his belief that as Guyana’s development continues, there are a number of young people committed and ready to seize available opportunities to make tough decisions and safeguard the country’s democracy.
“We have, in our midst, young people who are able to formulate plans for the participation in our oil economy, while championing the adaptation of modern approaches to traditional sectors of agriculture, health and education,” McCoy had said.