SELECTION PROCESS UNDERWAY FOR NEXT COHORT OF YOUTH PARLIAMENT

As one way of achieving its overall goal of taking Parliament to the people, the Malawi National Assembly has embarked on a process of selecting representatives for the Youth Parliament.

A statement signed by clerk of Parliament Fiona Kalemba said the development follows the end of a 2 year term for the previous youth Parliamentarians in 2020.

The statement further says the move is in line with the National Assembly’s 2020-2025 strategic plan to increase its outreach activities.

Among others, the Youth Parliament accords a "platform for young people to voice views and concerns on critical issues affecting their lives" in order to alert government and concerned stakeholders to take appropriate measures.

Representatives for the Youth Parliament are each drawn from the 193 constituencies in a merit based procedure involving collaboration between National Assembly’s secretariat and district councils.

According to Kalemba, the selection process, which started in April and is expected to end in June, is considering youths aged between 10 and 25. 

Meanwhile Plan International Malawi has called for action on resolutions made during the last Youth Parliament.

The organization’s Communications and Campaign Manager Rodgers Siula said, "It is disappointing that most resolutions are barely adopted."

According to Siula the country needs to embrace the youth parliament for the caucus to carry meaning.

"There is also need for transparency in identifying representatives for the Youth Parliament." said Siula.

He has since mobilised different stakeholders that deal with youths to be part of the deliberations.