Philipsburg:--- President of Parliament Drs. Gracita Arrindell, fully supports the establishment of a Sint Maarten Youth Parliament, a project that the Sint Maarten Youth Council Association has on its 2011 agenda.
The Sint Maarten Youth Parliament will be the successor of the Youth Council's Youth Island Council Programme. The envisioned Youth Parliament will cater to young people ages 13-21 who are interested in how government functions.
The program will offer training in government and politics, parliamentary procedures, public speaking, research skills and the art of debating.
"I commend the initiative of the Sint Maarten Youth Council Association and I look forward to assisting them in whatever way possible.
"The Youth Council plays a very important role in our society and in particular the island's young people. In the format of a youth parliament, they will be able to develop debating skills and learn the processes of a parliamentary democracy such as our young country," President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell said on Thursday.
The President of Parliament took the initiative to start "Get to Know Your Parliament," several weeks ago which saw students from different primary and high schools visit the offices of parliament.
Students are also involved from the secondary schools in helping to design the crest for the first parliament of country Sint Maarten.
