Maravi

Nalumango commends youths over constitutional assembly

Nalumango commends youths over constitutional assembly
By Sandra Lombe
Friday September 14, 2007 [04:00]

DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango has said the National Youth Constitutional Assembly is bringing Parliament closer to young people through its programmes. And Friedrich Ebert Stiftung resident director Gerd Botterweck urged youths to be involved in political parties and organisations. Speaking when she officiated at the Fourth National Youth Parliament, whose theme was mainstreaming youth participation in national development, Nalumango said youth parliament exposed young people to issues that affected them.

“With the introduction of the parliamentary reforms, whose main aim is to bring Parliament closer to the people, the parliamentary doors have been opened wider to allow members of the public to participate in parliamentary activities. The national youth constitutional assembly have blended very well with this reform as they are bringing Parliament closer to young people through their youth programmes,” she said.

Nalumango also urged the youths to participate openly and freely on the bill and two motions that they would debate. The bill is calling on government to formulate a youth empowerment commission to solely look at youth issues while the motions urge the government to revise the current national youth development council Act among others.

And Botterweck said it was important that youths participated and become incorporated in organisations and politics of the country. “They should also be involved in the constitution as it affects them as future leaders and shape the future. Youths should also join political parties and trade unions to set up youth wings,” he said.

However, he said currently youths were not actively involved in the constitution and national development. He said some organisations were trying to involve the youths but there was need to have a stronger youth participation. Botterweck said it was difficult to motivate the youths and there seemed to be apathy in participating in politics.

“They have to form a strong youth movement and try to get things changed,” said Botterweck.

Labels: CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, YOUTHS

posted by MrK @ 5:19 AM