Employment, mental health, education, sport and development opportunities in the districts are among the youth priorities in a policy memorandum handed to President Jennifer Simons on Friday, October 9. During the meeting at the Kabinet van de President, Minister of Youth Development and Sport Lalinie Gopal announced that Suriname is returning to the Nationaal Jeugdparlement (NJP, National Youth Parliament).
The policy memorandum was drawn up on the basis of the district congresses and the National Youth Congress held in July and August. Representatives of Jeugdraad Suriname (JRS, Suriname Youth Council), the Nationaal Jeugdinstituut (NJI, National Youth Institute), and the CARICOM and SDG youth ambassadors presented the document to the head of state. The president also received a book and a painting.
According to Minister Gopal, the memorandum has also been sent to various ministries. The next step is to examine how the issues raised can be addressed and how the proposed solutions can be incorporated into youth policy.
JRS chairman Shemar Rier stressed that young people must continue to monitor the implementation of their proposals. He also described the policy memorandum as a charter. “Young people must ensure that everything they said during the congresses is implemented by the government.”
During the consultation, President Simons asked about young people’s perspective on, among other things, the use of mobile phones in schools and the challenges of artificial intelligence. According to Rier, these topics will be discussed further with young people.
A possible youth law was also discussed, which could lay down the tasks and powers of a youth body. Rier believes that consideration should be given to how such a body can function within the separation of powers.
Return to the Nationaal Jeugdparlement
Minister Gopal announced that the state decree for the return to the NJP was recently amended and published. According to her, this is being done at the request of young people. The low turnout in the online elections for the JRS also played a role in that decision.
Rier supports the return because of the recognition of the Nationaal Jeugdparlement and the opportunities for democratic participation. He pointed out that powers such as submitting motions and points of order have been omitted from the current state decree. According to him, those powers are essential to functioning as a parliament.
The current Jeugdraad has been active since 2023 and is nearing the end of its three-year term. Preparations for new youth parliament elections have now begun. According to the explanation, these must take place before Suriname assumes the CARICOM chairmanship in 2027 and hosts the associated meeting of heads of state.
On behalf of the JRS, vice-chairwoman Gracelynn Amautan and deputy vice-chairman Jeremiah Pinas also attended the meeting alongside Rier. The NJI was represented by director Dinesh Parag and deputy director Santoucha Redan.
