EDUCATION and Youth Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon is urging young people to share with her their ideas and recommendations on important matters impacting the youth that will help to shape national policy and other areas of Jamaica’s development.

“It has only been a month since I’ve been in this new role but I’ve always felt that our youth have an important role to play in whatever solutions we are going to find for this country,“ Dr Morris Dixon said as she addressed Monday’s 15th sitting of the National Youth Parliament.

The minister, who also has portfolio responsibility for skills and information, said she had been engaging with some of the 70 youth parliamentarians who told her about their brilliant ideas, which would not be presented at Monday’s sitting.

“I want to say to you: ‘Keep at it. And keep harassing me too, and giving me your ideas because they’re very importan. You had ways of thinking of things that I had not even thought of, and that’s why it’s so important that you are a part of the process. Your involvement in national development cannot be overstated, and it is through your engagement that we will build the Jamaica we all aspire to — a Jamaica that is innovative, resilient and forward-thinking,’ ” she told the attentive young parliamentarians.

“I want your help. I want your help in thinking through the issues that are faced in Jamaica. I want those of you who did not get your topic on, I want you to put your proposals on the table and get it to me so I can see what you’re thinking. Your voices matter, your opinions matter to our government,” she added.

Dr Morris Dixon said further that the 15th sitting of the National Youth Parliament is not merely about participation, “but about creating spaces where your voices are heard, where your concerns are taken seriously, and where your proposals are given the value and respect they deserve.

“The topics you spoke on all have varying societal challenges around them and highlight the need for a responsive, progressive, governance framework that is very much consistent with the challenges of the modern age. From exploring digital transformation in the context of public policy, social justice matters, from constitutional reform to addressing noncommunicable diseases among youth, you are demonstrating that you are not only aware of the issues at hand, but that you’re both enabled and ready to lead the charge for meaningful change,” she said.

The education minister added that she was particularly excited that the youth parliamentarians were not only talking about the problems, but presenting solutions pertinent to the future of the nation.

She noted that topics they chose are important, and were approached with a level of insight and creativity “that is nothing short of inspiring”.

“Through the National Youth Parliament we have seen time and time again how committed you are to shaping national policy — and I want to commend you for boldly sharing your contributions — but your work does not end with these debates today,” she said. Morris Dixon also charged the Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica and the Education Ministry’s Youth and Adolescent Policy Division to work to ensure that the ideas ventilated in the debate are brought forward for action, as appropriate.

She said the progress of these ideas must be tracked as they make their way into national discussions, policy-making, and perhaps legislation in the House.

“Let me be clear: Achieving the goals that you are articulating today won’t be easy, it’s not going to happen overnight, but we’re going have to be resilient. And the ministry is committed to providing the resources, and the platform, and facilitating the networks that will enable you to succeed in this endeavour,” she said.

“So, the stage is set. We’re moving youth engagement from mere participation. I want you to take ownership of the policies that will affect your life, and ownership of the future we are building together. So, please take today’s debate seriously. You have been selected, you have been chosen. The Lord has chosen each and every one of you to be a leader. And I want you to know that and I want you to believe that really deeply — you’re in this room for a purpose,” Morris Dixon added.

In the meantime, United Nations Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu brought greetings on behalf of the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez and the United Nations country team in Jamaica.

There were also greetings by President of the Senate Tom Tavares-Finson, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Heroy Clarke, who brought greetings on behalf of Speaker of the House of Representatives Juliet Holness, commended the youth leaders for committing to the task and being an inspiration for Jamaica’s youth.

Held under the theme: ‘Youth Impact 2024: Innovative Minds, Purposeful Action, Collective Triumphs’, the National Youth Parliament is a joint effort between the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and the Houses of Parliament. It serves as one of the activities for Youth Month, providing young Jamaicans with a platform to influence public discourse and demonstrate their leadership potential.