Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will today preside over the official opening of the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, as Government renews efforts to enhance meaningful youth participation in national development.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, Mr Ranson Madzamba, told The Herald that everything was in place for today’s official opening, which will run under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa”.
“All is now set for the official opening of the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe.
“All the systems are in place.
“The event will take place at the New Parliament Building,” he said.
Established in 1991, the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe seeks to ventilate issues relating to the affairs of young people.
The Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe is a replica of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and provides a platform for young people to participate in matters that concern them.
The platform, thus, provides an opportunity for young people to engage with Government and deliberate on their needs, concerns, ideas and views.
Mr Madzamba said young people’s participation in matters that concern them is provided for in the country’s Constitution, the National Youth Policy (2020-2025), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
“The Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe provides an opportunity for Government to capture the thoughts and experiences of children and young people from all the 210 constituencies in the country.
“Also worth noting is the fact that the Junior Parliament has become, and can be, more instrumental in schools and communities on troubling issues such as drug and substance abuse.
“The junior parliamentarians are highly regarded in their circles, where they are viewed as opinion leaders and can indeed influence behavioural change among their peers,” he said.
Mr Madzamba said today’s official opening presents an opportunity for all stakeholders in adolescent and youth rights, including Government, non-governmental organisations and international entities, to reflect on investment in children in Zimbabwe.
“The Junior Parliament session provides an opportune moment to take stock of the progress made and the outstanding challenges towards the full realisation of the rights of young people in our great country, Zimbabwe.
“The young people get the opportunity to present their priority issues to Government.
“They are given a platform to advocate for child-friendly policies and the full implementation of programmes that are crucial and beneficial to them and the nation at large,” he said.
