By Anthea

Anguilla leg of the CYPCC Youth Development Series 

According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.org, a youth council is “an
example of youth voice engaged in youth-led decision making”. Ironically,
youth councils were first established in the early 1900's by communists and
Nazi's who were interested in youth-led decision making bodies for the
purpose of recruitment.  Consequently, they were used as a communist tool
for control and manipulation.

Later, after a 30 year hiatus youth councils would become extremely popular
internationally as a result of the European Youth Forum. Today, youth
councils exist on local, regional and international levels among
governments, non- government organizations, schools and other entities.

Microsoft's Encarta dictionary defines democracy as “the political system in
which the people of a country rule through any form of government they
choose to establish”.  Furthermore as quoted by wikipedia.org, a Democratic
Process is a style of government where the citizens have the right to
participate in the decisions of their government. This is the foundation of
democracy. The citizens of a democratic nation have elections to decide who
will create, modify and remove laws, for that political region or
subdivision. Included in the process, are the rights of its citizens to
question, comment and usually by majority, change the activities of their
government or its officials.

Similarly, the ANYC has set its goal to this democratic model to:

-        lobby for youth on issues concerning youth

-        promote the general welfare and social progress of youth

-        mobilize young people under one umbrella organization

-        and promote co-operation among youth groups

The organization is there to encourage youths to participate in their future
by addressing their concerns and it is enlightening to know that someone is
standing up for us youths. The main reason for having such an establishment
is to identify and help conquer the issues that plague our young people
today. By doing this we can ultimately encourage them to express ideas to
deter bad behaviour and other negative influences that they are faced with
and therefore allowing them the opportunity to realize that a better future
can be achieved.

For example, if youths need more sports scholarships some of the athletes
can go to the youth and culture department and explain to the Director that
it would be very beneficial for government to make more sports scholarships
available in order to cater for the increasing number of outstanding
athletes that are representing Anguilla in local, regional and international
events. The youth council is there to listen and make recommendations on the
behalf of youths; it is vital that youths use this avenue and take it very
seriously. After all it is for their overall benefit.

The role which youth councils should play in the democratic process is a
diverse one. Primarily they should play a pivotal role in developing
policies to ensure that youth meet the challenges and advantages of
opportunities of the 21st century. In Anguilla, young people still identify
the development of a policy as a major requirement.

Wherever youth reside their mission or role should basically be the same.
For example, the Swaziland National Youth Council mission is “to facilitate,
provide support and empower the youth to be active pioneers in the expanding
opportunities and chances in their lives for improved quality of life by
effective and efficient service delivery.”

The Namibia Youth Council aims “to foster a spirit of national identity, a
sense of unity and self respect, as well as a depth of awareness of Social,
Economic, Political, Educational and cultural prospectus and adversities.
This would be done in order to develop the inherent abilities and
capabilities of young people both individually and collectively.  Also, this
would be essential in the establishment and maintenance of relations with
international youth bodies and National Youth structure.”

Youth councils should incorporate these three components:
1.        facilitation
2.        support and
3.        empowerment

National Youth councils should facilitate the youth by supplementing the
effort of schools and formal training to prepare young people for adult
life. They should help to prepare youth for future responsibilities,
enabling them to be intelligent consumers and ensuring their active
participation in creating the culture of tomorrow. They should assist in
educating youth about the political process and also motivate them to vote,
thereby, contributing to future development. In addition, they should guide
youth through the election process. To do this, they can provide forums in
which youth can participate and experience how the process works for
example: role-playing of a mock election. For instance, last year in
commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Supreme Court, The Anguilla Bar
Association hosted a mock trial in which youths took part. It was necessary
to witness this trial in order to understand and internalize the judicial
process.

Youth councils must also play a supportive role as they are the mouthpiece
of us youth. In this role they are our main representatives and must lobby
on our behalf as it is their duty to liaise with government and other
bodies. To do this effectively they must devise ways in finding out the
needs of youth.

The fostering of opportunities for young people to actively address
community needs in a structured format is a key function. Provision should
be made to enable us to address issues of national interest that directly
affect us. These include teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, AIDS, youth violence
and truancy.

Empowering young people to play an active role in community development
allows democracy to evolve according to the needs and traditions of diverse
political cultures.  The practice of actively engaging youth as full
partners in the nation building process can be highly beneficial to the
democratic process.  When we as youth feel a part of, and has been allowed
to make our contribution it is more likely that we would champion the cause.
  Making our contribution helps us to feel empowered.

Throughout the Caribbean youth councils have provided leadership training as
well as exposure in other areas which allow us to participate effectively in
the democratic process. Youth councils have provided avenues through
workshops and seminars that allow for the integration of youth and the
discussion and solution of prominent issues. By virtue of having
participated in these forums youth benefit substantially, the diverse views
enable them to be more tolerant of cultural diversity and opposing
viewpoints. Once empowered, these individuals could possibly be candidates
to effect change. We must become the change we want to see. For example, if
we want a more involved youth population, Youth councils must take up the
mantle of providing opportunities for us to get involved.

Throughout history, youth around the world have demonstrated the passion and
the energy to mobilize change. Here in Anguilla the youth played a very
significant role in the Anguilla revolution. It has been suggested that the
impetus for change that followed the 1967 revolution was maintained by young
people. May I remind you Ladies and Gentlemen that it was the national youth
council that acknowledged the role our revolutionary leader Mr. Ronald
Webster played by erecting a statue in his honour.

In conclusion, experience has shown that young people are eager to
participate in activities that improve their community and their own lives.
What is missing is not the motivation and interest from young people but
rather structured opportunities that will benefit the next generation.

Brett Alessi in his article Youth engaged in service a Strategy for
promoting democracy declares  “Youth service offers an effective way to
engage young people in the process of democracy building while developing
citizenship skills and addressing important issues in community at the same
time.” Youth councils, therefore have a mammoth task of ensuring that they
provide the missing link which would empower youth to develop the skills,
knowledge and values necessary to build strong communities and engage
effectively in the democratic procedure.