HOUSING, the right to play, and diversity and inclusion will be the three main areas of focus for the Jersey Youth Parliament during their 18-month term ‘in office’.
The JYP allows Islanders aged between 12 and 18 to campaign on issues which affect them, and was originally set up in response to the findings of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
Members of the JYP will present their findings to the States Assembly, engage with Scrutiny panels and create a final report to share with ministers.
Senior youth worker Lisa Mansell said: ‘It’s about building up young people’s confidence, bringing them together and developing new skills.
‘Ideally they want to be listened to. We’re recognising that young people haven’t been listened to.’
Ms Mansell said she hoped ministers would listen to their campaigns.
She added: ‘The Jersey Youth Parliament will be working on three very important campaigns over their 18-month term – all of which will be presented to States Members and compiled into a final report with recommendations and ideas.’
The three JYP campaigns:
- The right to play – focuses on young people’s right to play, safe places to play and land being earmarked for play.
- Diversity and inclusion – explores education on different ethnicities, the LGBTQ community, and the Island’s diversity.
- Housing – looks at ways to encourage young people to stay in Jersey given the housing crisis.
The JYP recently voted for the campaigns they wished to work on using the States Chamber voting system, in a meeting which was chaired by Deputy Bailiff Robert MacCrae.
Ms Mansell added: ‘The new Jersey Youth Parliament group was formed at the end of the summer term, and they had a great residential at the Queen’s Jubilee Activity Centre where they got to know each other and started to think about what the future holds.’
- For more information about Jersey Youth Parliament visit: jyp.je
