PHILIPSBURG:--- The Kingdom Youth Parliament (KPY) was officially installed on Tuesday at the University of St. Martin in the presence of Princess Beatrix, Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams and the President of St. Maarten's Parliament Gracita Arrindell.
The first Youth Parliament of the Kingdom comprises of teams from Aruba, Curacao, BES islands and St. Maarten who was the host country for the event. The first President of KYP is none other than Trumane Trotman from St. Maarten. The KYP consists of 15 members coming from the various islands. Some 150 youngsters applied to become members of KPY but those selected were the luckiest to be chosen.
To open the day's ceremony Trotman explained in her short speech that the idea of having youths involved in such a way has been brewing for some two years ago by having youngsters talk about the Kingdom themselves. Another vision was to give youngsters the opportunity to talk about their accomplishments and problems or challenges they are facing and what could be the best possible future for young people. "We are young but not blind, we see political indifferences in the Netherlands and the Caribbean and around the world.
Some see our transatlantic Kingdom as a historical mistake while others simply do not care. We KYP do care and we will speak for those that value our multi-cultural Kingdom.
The KPY will be debating several issues of concern for the next three days which they are responsible to take forward. The lead person from each of the team were given the opportunity to ask the adults some of whom are Members of Parliament for advice. Trumane Trotman in asking her question said she heard what everyone had to say, especially the Prime Minister of St. Maarten who said that they (KYP) should remain committed. Trotman said she is convinced that the KYP members are committed but she wanted to know if the adults that attended the ceremony would remain committed to KYP.
Princess Beatrix, the second speaker for the event past on the gavel to Trotman, the first President of KYP. Princess Beatrix said the shared history of the Kingdom goes back to 200 years ago and it belongs to each and every one of us also those living in the four countries that make up the Kingdom. She said every generation looks at the past, present and future in their own way and because of that each generation feels the need to decide their own priorities and set their own course. However, this cannot be achieved in a democratic way if people don't meet each other and enter into debates.
Princess Beatrix visited Belvedere on Tuesday afternoon after the installation of KYP, she is expected to tour the Simpson Bay Lagoon on Wednesday and visit the St. Maarten Academy.
Click here to view photos of the installation of KYP at USM.
