LocationsPractice Parliament for Youth – the Second in the Series for 2022, has concluded, with 25 Maldivian youth participating in the seven-day programme.
Latest Practice Parliament for Youth Concludes
August 30, 2022
Participants of the Practice Parliament for Youth programme series 2, 2022
Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives
The Practice Parliament series is a project conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives in partnership with People’s Majlis of the Maldives, with the support of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Practice Parliament for Youth and Practice Parliament for Women aims to provide the opportunity for women and young people to build their capacity and confidence to participate in democratic processes, become change makers in their communities and eventually, contest for elected positions.
The Practice Parliament series is the first programme of its kind organized by UNDP Maldives in collaboration with the People’s Majlis. Through the programmes, a total of 57 youth has been trained from all across the islands - including 8 participants from the deaf community and 4 participants from the blind community. The programme hopes to foster active participation of youth in the grassroot decision making process while also encouraging them to become change makers who can make a positive impact in society and empower other young people to join and work towards a shared objective.
Participants of the Practice Parliament for Youth programme series 2, 2022
Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives
Reiterating Australia’s long-term support of the Practice Parliaments in Maldives as a part of their decade-long partnership in Maldives governance and reform journey, Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives, His Excellency Paul Stephens, acknowledged the importance of youth participation in the democratic process for proven equitable democratic dividends.
Joining the ceremony virtually, the High Commissioner said that Australian Government’s development response strategy - Partnerships for Recovery - recognises good governance as vital to strengthen institutions, deliver fundamental services, and underpin economic recovery by ensuring resources are allocated accountably, effectively and transparently. The High Commissioner also acknowledged how effective, inclusive governance gives people confidence that governments and institutions are working in their interests, and delivering to the most vulnerable. “I’m pleased Australia’s contribution to events such as this one is supporting Maldives’ ability to do just this.”
Practice Parliament programme consists of two components; a training component where participants are informed on the fundamentals of civic education, key parliamentary processes, and relevant policy issues, followed by a Practice Parliament Sitting where they perform parliamentary proceedings.
Participants of the Practice Parliament for Youth programme series 2, 2022
Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives
The latest iteration of Practice Parliament for Youth included comprehensive and practical sessions relevant to youth. Among the highlights was participants taking a tour of the parliament, meeting with Honourable Speaker President Mohamed Nasheed and the youngest members of parliament, sessions on history of Maldivian politics and the parliament, and the work of the members of the parliament.
Participants of the Practice Parliament for Youth programme series 2, 2022 with Speaker of the Majlis
Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives
The programme also included sessions on democracy and good governance, Human Rights and Gender Responsive Policy Making’, ‘Participatory, Inclusive and Evidence-based Law Making’, Social Cohesion and sharing the findings of the Youth Vulnerability Assessment delivered by UNDP Maldives. Other prominent sessions on policy issues included introduction to decentralization by Local Government Authority (LGA), gender-related issues by Society for Health Education (SHE), ‘Challenges to the Provision of Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Services’ by NGO Journey, ‘Impact of Corruption on Youth’ by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and ‘Right to Information’ by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
From the closing ceremony of the Practice Parliament for Youth programme series 2, 2022
Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives
Practice Parliament builds on the concept of experiential learning to provide the opportunity for aspiring individuals to learn by doing, build new networks and allies through shared understanding, engage in dialogue with other individuals of the same cohort to further inform their values and perspectives, and enable them to acquire new skills at a practical setting. The Practice Parliament sitting provides the avenue for youth to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme, with participants debating on the Animal Health Bill currently in the committee stage of the parliament, at the series that just concluded.
UNDP Resident Representative Enrico Gaveglia speaks at the closing ceremony
Ashwa Faheem/UNDP Maldives
“Together with our partners, UNDP is proud to support interventions that work to equip young people with knowledge, skills and networking opportunities that empowers them to participate in democratic processes, engage in politics and aspire towards leadership positions. Our programmes aim to integrate gender equality and the empowerment of women and youth into every aspect of our work. This forms the core of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, speaking at the closing ceremony.
Link to the closing ceremony: https://youtu.be/sHdFStaA1G0
Link to the gallery: https://majlis.gov.mv/en/gallery/2004
