Students to take to the Chamber in Annual Youth Assembly
22nd March 2024
Jersey's 26th Annual Youth Assembly will take place next Tuesday 26 March and will see teams of students representing the Island's secondary schools taking their seats in the Chamber for an afternoon of special debates.
Teams of students from Jersey College for Girls, Victoria College, Beaulieu Convent School, and Hautlieu School have drafted questions to Ministers and prepared topics for debate. The debate topics include whether "euthanasia should be legalised to provide individuals with the right to die with dignity", proposed by the Hautlieu team, and if "Jersey should introduce mandatory education or training until the age of 18", proposed by the JCG team.
The Youth Assembly aims to encourage young people to play a more active role in Jersey's democratic process and to develop their understanding of issues impacting Islanders.
Several of the young people who have taken part in the Youth Assembly in the past have gone on to participate in other initiatives such as the Commonwealth Youth Parliament and the Parlement des Jeunes. It is also an important first step into the world of politics and former participants have been subsequently elected as States Members, including current Deputies Sam Mézec and Alex Curtis.
Lisa Hart, Greffier of the States, commented on the event:
"The Youth Assembly provides an invaluable opportunity for Jersey's young people to have a formal, political debate in the States Chamber and to ask questions and hold debates on topics they care about. The students who take part develop valuable skills and it is always really impressive to see how they conduct themselves when questioning Ministers. I am thoroughly looking forward to welcoming the students to the Chamber."
The Youth Assembly will begin at 1.30pm on Tuesday 26 March and will be webcast live through Public-i. Members of the public are also invited to attend and watch in person from the public gallery.
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