Commonwealth Youth Parliament Programme

Welcome message from Mark Egan, Greffier of the States Assembly in Jersey

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to young participants from across the Commonwealth who are visiting Jersey for the ninth Annual Commonwealth Youth Parliament Conference.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was asked to host this year's conference which was due to take place in the British Virgin Islands in October 2017.  Whilst we are very pleased and privileged to be in a position to host this year's event, our thoughts and condolences are with those affected by the devastation, both in the British Virgin Islands and elsewhere.  We are very much looking forward to welcoming you and hope you enjoy your stay with us and feel empowered to make a difference in each of your communities and jurisdictions following the conference.

During the programme of events, you will have the unique opportunity to experience life in the parliamentary spotlight and gain practical experience of Jersey's parliamentary system whilst meeting like-minded individuals from around the globe.  In addition, you will have the chance to debate important issues facing the Commonwealth and take part in parliamentary processes as party representatives or as independents – all exciting and valuable experiences in your path to becoming a future Commonwealth leader!  To find out more about what is scheduled for the conference, please scroll down to our detailed schedule below.

Jersey is a small island but it is bursting at the seams with a unique mix of both French and British historical, cultural and political influence.  Jersey is also an island of rediscovery, packed with activities to experience and explore.  We hope you will be able to see plenty of the Island during your time here, including the spectacular Mont Orgeuil Castle which for centuries marked the border between the realms of the Kings of England and France. I hope you may also have the time, away from the conference or on a subsequent visit, to explore all that Jersey has to offer, from the breath-taking cliff top views over the Atlantic Ocean and to France, to visiting the tenth oldest building in the world, La Hougue Bie. 

We hope you thoroughly enjoy your stay with us in Jersey and I personally look forward to meeting each and every one of you soon.

With best wishes,

Mark Egan

Programme

Date: 25 February – 1 March, 2018

Location:States Chamber, Jersey, Channel Islands

Sunday 25 February 2018

Monday 26 February 2018

Opening of the ninth Commonwealth Youth Parliament

Members gather in States Chamber

Formal opening with Tim Le Cocq, Deputy Bailiff; Senator Ian Gorst, Chief Minister; Akbar Khan, CPA Secretary-General and Len Norman, Connetable and Chairman of CPA

​Official photograph c.9.30am

Reassemble c. 9.45am for housekeeping announcements

EDUCATIONAL SESSION 1

• Role of parliaments
• How the Jersey States Assembly works
• Format for the Youth Parliament
• Political parties, key roles and personas
• Available documents
• Question and Answer Session

​EDUCATIONAL SESSION 2

Mentors present for a maximum of five minutes each followed by a question and answer session

Lunch​

Sandwiches in the Members' Room and tour of the Royal Court with Rod McLaughlin, States of Jersey Cultural Development Officer

Activity 1

• Choose party leader, deputy and whip
• Choose ministers
• Choose party name
• Discuss which propositions should be debated

Refreshments available.

Members walk back to States Chamber

Afternoon break​

Activity 2

Speech from the Throne and Debate on choice of propositions - Chaired by the Connetable of St. Clement

Speech from the Throne: delivered by His Excellency, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton GCB, Lietenant Governor of Jersey.

The Youth Parliament will debate which three of the five propositions offered to them to debate. Each proposition will be put to the vote at 4.15pm and the three with the most otes will be debated later in the week

Caucus and individual study time​

Preparation for the following day's proceedings:

• Statements and propositions 2 and 3 (and questions)
• Questions (and answers)
• Speeches on proposition 1
• Questions must be tabled by 5pm
• Amendments to proposition 1 must be lodged for distribution by 9am on Tuesday

Tuesday 27 February 2018

Wednesday 28 February 2018

Thursday 1 March 2018