What if young people ran the county?

What if young people ran the county?

The answer to this question will be played out at New Zealand’s fifth Youth Parliament from 8-11 July 2007. Applications are now open for Youth Parliament 2007.

The Ministry of Youth Development are looking for Youth MPs from all over New Zealand aged 16-18 years to replace existing MPs during this period.

Youth MPs will get to debate mock legislation, engage in general debate, ask oral questions of cabinet ministers and sit on select committees.

Youth Parliament aims to help young people gain a stronger understanding of the workings of Parliament and gives them an opportunity to express their views and opinions to politicians, the government and the public.

Christopher Bishop a former Youth MP really valued his experience. “Youth Parliament is more than a just a feel-good public relations exercise …Youth Parliament was a teenagers think-tank, a diverse cultural melting-pot of ideas, opinions and beliefs.

“I was proud to be a part of it; proud to contribute, proud to listen and proud to feel some of the great mana surrounding the event.”

Along with Youth MPs, the Ministry will be selecting 10 Youth Press Gallery members to report on Youth Parliament debates, select committees and the general happenings of Youth Parliament and these will be published in mainstream newspapers, radio and television stations as well as the Youth Parliament website.

The Youth Press Gallery will be a valuable experience for any young person that is considering journalism as a career. **

Youth Parliament is organised by the Ministry of Youth Development in consultation with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Youth Affairs and New Zealand’s 121 MPs.

Anyone interested in becoming a Youth MP or Youth Press Gallery member can get application forms and more information from the Youth Parliament website (www.youthparliament.govt.nz) or by calling 0508 FOR MYD (367 693).

ENDS