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- Ελληνικά
Monday, 9 October 2023, 9.00 a.m.
Plenary Chamber of the House of Representatives
Dear Minister of Education, Sports and Youth,
Colleagues,
Dear Presidents of the Cyprus Youth Organization, the Cyprus Youth Council and Cyprus Youth DiplomaCY,
Dear Speaker and Members of the House of Young Representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Starting from the saying that "young people are not always right, but the society that ignores them is always wrong", the House of Representatives gives a platform and strengthens the voice of our young people. It is not enough to stick to slogans. We need our young people to express themselves and we are obliged to give them a voice. To take into account what is on their minds and to come forward together for everything that needs to change.
It is therefore with great pleasure that I welcome the Sixth Session of the House of Young Representatives, which concludes its three-day cycle today and I would like to warmly congratulate the co-organizers, the Cyprus Youth Council and Cyprus Youth DiplomaCY, for the successful organization of this year's session, within the framework of this institution. I congratulate each and every one of them individually for their presence and active participation.
It is with great satisfaction that we note the remarkable and multi-dimensional work of the Cyprus Youth Council, representing the youth organisations of our country at local, European and international level. The active participation of the Cyprus Youth Council as a full member of the European Youth Forum, in the decision-making processes and in the creation of youth policy in the European Union, as well as its role in the development of the National Youth Strategy, are extremely important steps for Cyprus, since they promote the active participation of young people in international forums on critical issues that concern them and society at large.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I chair today's session with great pleasure and pride, as I have the opportunity to meet 56 young people who are pursuing their dreams with determination and energy. I see young people who are fighting for the present and the future of our country with vitality, passion and dynamism, making a substantial contribution to the whole effort to create a better reality for our country. And we need our young people, we need them to participate, to assert themselves and we need to really support them. Not just stick to slogans. Not when they take over our concern is to undermine them but to stand by them as we should and it's not just something we have to do, it's our obligation because that's the only way democracy as a whole is represented. Otherwise we will have a failing democracy in which the most important and active part of democracy will not participate.
During all the sessions of the Youth Parliament we have watched extremely interesting debates develop around the complex challenges that loom menacingly over humanity. We need not go far, we only need to look at what is happening around us, the events in Israel the day before yesterday, an ongoing war in the heart of Europe and of course I refer to the war after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Nakorno Karabakh and what is still happening after 49 years in our Cyprus.
It is for this reason that we consider it our duty to make the participation of young people an equal partner in policy making. This is the only way to lead us into the future, to give hope that today more than ever we need. It is for this reason that we are here today, in the supremely democratic space, where, as young people, being the present and the future of our country, you will have the opportunity to express your views freely and unhindered.
Once again, I have seen that the choice of your topics as the subject of discussion during the work that preceded today's session is a practical proof of your involvement with burning issues of current affairs, which affect either positively or negatively Cyprus, Europe and the world, in many cases sounding the alarm for our planet. These are the issues on the global agenda, such as the diplomacy of managing the energy and climate crisis, the role of artificial intelligence in the labour market of the future, the restructuring of curricula to promote autonomous and experiential learning and the cultivation of critical and creative thinking, as well as the issue of sustainable mobility. All these reflect the legitimate concerns of every citizen and every political being at a time when nothing can be taken for granted and everything seems fluid and complex.
Friends,
At this point, allow me to talk about some projects which have been developed in the House of Representatives and in which you can also participate.
The first programme is the "Internship at the Chamber of Deputies", which aims to develop a two-way relationship with young people by familiarising them with the work of the legislative body, broadening their knowledge of parliamentary life and the values of democracy, so that they can become active citizens and enhance their skills for their future employability. In this context, students have the opportunity to exchange views with members of parliament on issues related to parliamentary work, whether it concerns legislative work and parliamentary scrutiny or parliamentary diplomacy.
Another action in the same spirit of creating channels of communication between Parliament and young people, especially young girls, is the "In the footsteps of a woman councillor" project, in which female university students follow female councillors in their workflow on 8 March, International Women's Day. The aim is to break down stereotypes and demonstrate the importance of young women's participation in democratic processes and decision-making centres.
Friends,
This year also saw the establishment of the previously announced Parliamentary and Participatory Democracy Foundation of the House of Representatives, which aims, among other things, at scientific research, study and promotion of parliamentary history, understanding of the constitutional tradition, promotion of the principles of parliamentarianism and its historical continuity. In this context, the institution will develop partnerships with cultural institutions, educational and academic institutions and foreign parliaments.
Dear all,
Regarding the legislative work of the Parliament, during the previous Second Session of the Twelfth Parliamentary Term, important pieces of legislation were passed, aimed at solving long-standing problems faced by society. Among other things, the Parliament modernised the current legislative framework governing family law and adopted regulations governing issues relating to the institution of mediation in family disputes. As part of the effort to improve the rule of law framework and in particular to enhance transparency and accountability, as well as the fight against corruption, legislation was adopted to regulate the functioning of the Independent Authority against Corruption and lobbying. The adoption of legislation on the application of the reduced VAT rate for the purchase and construction of housing is also considered important. In the field of education, a noteworthy change is the adoption of regulations on the system of evaluation of pupils in secondary education, which will be based on educational criteria. The House of Representatives is a body that never stops its work and you should know that depending on the topicality and the requests that come from you to us in the relevant committees, we intervene where and when necessary to find solutions.
Dear young councillors,
Today, more than ever, our country needs citizens with a democratic conscience, ethics, legitimacy, without fanaticism and intolerance, without toxicity. Citizens who will criticise and have an opinion on everything that is going on in order to contribute to the shaping of the necessary institutional changes and actions, in the context of which everyone will have equal opportunities and rights and at the same time will actively participate in public life, claiming what they are entitled to and deserve. So exercise your right to participate in the events that concern you and be sure and confident that no struggle is wasted. Take every opportunity you are given, empower your voice and become the change you want to see in the world.
I would like to thank you for being here today and thank you for the opportunity to listen to you, to fill us with positivity and energy and hope for the future. I congratulate you again on your selection as Members of the House of Young Representatives, and for your hard work and seriousness during the preparatory work of the parliamentary committees. I wish you a good and productive mandate and I am confident of your success!
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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