Commonwealth Youth Parliament: Blog Post
States Assembly
10 March 2025
Jade Hahn, one of Jersey's delegates to 2024's Commonwealth Youth Parliament in New Zealand, shares her experience of participating in the event, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) is an initiative designed to give young, aspiring parliamentarians a hands-on understanding of the role and purpose of parliaments.
Over the week, we were immersed in parliamentary procedures as party representatives of a fictitious small Island nation, Okifenua.
On our first day in Parliament, we were welcomed with a Pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony by the clerical and parliamentary staff and hosts of the event. Witnessing how indigenous culture can be woven into modern political practices was inspiring, showing how tradition and governance can coexist harmoniously.
We were then tasked with considering a bill on climate change, which raised a number of pressing, contemporary issues such as migration, housing, and cultural preservation. Over the course of the event we engaged in several lively debates, played party politics, and learned how to build consensus through navigating political differences. Hearing my peers deliver speeches that were equal parts passionate, humorous, and persuasive highlighted to me that sometimes delivery can outweigh the most compelling statistics.
Outside of the formal programme, we were also able to explore the cultural and natural landmarks of Wellington, including a cable car ride and a visit to the botanical gardens. These experiences of downtime allowed us to recharge, get acquainted with the local area and foster personal connections. I made a number of wonderful friendships that I hope to develop personally and diplomatically in the future.
Our delegation was enthusiastic and fully engaged with the process which made for a highly entertaining event. Yet, underneath the camaraderie you could feel that, as a global cohort of young people, we shared a deep conviction that climate change should be treated as an emergency for national and global policy agendas. This shared stance culminated in the successful passing of the Bill in our final vote, with the closing speeches reminding me that young parliamentarians have a significant and urgent role to play in our own nation’s response to climate degradation.
Overall, the Commonwealth Youth Parliament was an incredible experience that was both professionally enriching and socially rewarding. I would strongly encourage anyone who is considering a career in politics or parliamentary proceedings to apply. Opportunities to make global connections are rare, especially for young people in Jersey, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate.
