The Jersey Youth Assembly allows young people to come into the States Chamber to question Ministers and to debate topics they have chosen.
This annual event, for students attending local post-16 schools and colleges, aims to promote a clear understanding of how the States Assembly, Jersey’s elected parliament, functions. The proceedings closely mirror those of a regular States Meeting, including roll call and prayers, questions with notice and a period of 15 minutes of questions without notice to the Chief Minister.
After question time the students debate the topics they have chosen and vote at the end using the electronic voting system.
By being given a unique forum to express their views and contribute to the formal political debate in the Island, it is hoped that young people will be encouraged to play a more active role in the democratic process.
Several of the young people who have taken part in the Youth Assembly have gone on to participate in the Commonwealth Youth Parliament and two have subsequently been elected as States Members.
