Press Releases

Georgetown, Guyana, August 15, 2024 – The Chamber of Public Buildings in Brickdam, Georgetown, was abuzz with spirited debates during the 2^nd  Sitting of the 9^th Annual Youth Parliament, Senior category. The Junior Youth Parliamentarians took the floor to debate two significant motions: "Minimising the Effects of the Rising Cost of Living in Guyana" and "Climate Change to be more Prominent in Schools’ Curriculum in Guyana." The Hon. Lallchan Gajadhar, Vice President, and the Hon. Jayda Overton, Prime Minister of the 9^th Annual Youth Parliament, moved the motions.

The afternoon session commenced with the election of Hon. Kiesha Alexander as Speaker of the 9^th Annual Youth Parliament, followed by the administration of the oath to all Members of the House.

Following a brief suspension, the Speaker welcomed Hon. Warren Kwame McCoy, M.P., Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, who addressed the senior Youth Parliamentarians.

The session was marked by vigorous debates and calls for division were made on both motions. The first motion, "Minimising the Effects of the Rising Cost of Living in Guyana," was carried in favour of the Government side, with 23 Members voting in favour, 21 against, and 1 abstaining.

The second motion, "Climate Change to be more Prominent in Schools’ Curriculum in Guyana," was negatived, with 22 government members voting in favour, 22 against, and one abstaining.

The Judicators for the 2^nd Sitting of the 9^th Annual Youth Parliament were as follows:

• Hon. Dr. Jennifer Westford, M.P., Government Member of Parliament and Chief Judge
• Ms. Volda Lawrence, M.P., Opposition Member of Parliament
• Dr. Valarie Goorsammy-Smith, Lecturer at the University of Guyana

The 4^th Sitting of the 9^th Annual Youth Parliament (senior category) is scheduled to commence at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, August 16, 2024.