Mark Tomlinson (standing) of the Constabulary Communication Network addresses the second annual sitting of the Youth Parliament at Gordon House in Kingston yesterday. -Rudolph Brown photo
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
FROM YOUNG legal minds calling for a modernised justice system, exuberant radicals pushing for the resumption of hanging, and passionate spirituals suggesting a return to God, yesterday's second annual sitting of the National Youth Parliament produced solutions to the nation's crime problem.
Almost 70 young men and women, drawn from a variety of schools and other institutions across the island, traded opinions on the implications of crime and violence on national development in the House of Representatives in Kingston under the watchful eyes of several seasoned politicians.
Government dignitaries in attendance included Maxine Henry-Wilson, education minister; Dr. Peter Phillips, minister of national security; Kern Spencer, parliamentary secretary in the National Security Ministry and Dr. Donald Rhodd, minister of state in the Education Ministry, with special responsibility for youth.
In opening the debate, Minister Henry-Wilson reminded the group, "There is an obligation in leadership which goes beyond popularity."
However, this did not prevent a silent microphone scramble among the participants to give individual speeches when it was apparent that time would not permit everyone a fair chance in the debate.
