Youth Parliament is example of gender equality and democratic participation, says Isabel Rodrigues
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs pointed out in Horta the "female representation" in the Youth Parliament. This situation "is unprecedented" in the National Assembly, in regional parliaments or in "the vast majority of parliaments throughout Europe and the world."
Hence, Isabel Rodrigues called the attention of young member female members of parliament, stressing "the importance of exercising their participation, as women, in the creation of effective gender equality opportunities throughout life."
"Do not give up of a role that is yours," the Regional Secretary stressed, adding that "the effective equality of opportunities should happen by itself; it should not be dependent on quotas."
"Therefore, continue to participate," urged Isabel Rodrigues. The government official spoke at the opening session of the Youth Parliament/ Secondary School taking place at the headquarters of the Legislative Assembly.
The Regional Secretary also stressed the importance of democracy. In this regard, she emphasised that, although young members of parliament have already been born under the auspices of freedom and dictatorship is for them a period in the History of Portugal they study at school, it is important to bear in mind "the democracy should not be taken as granted.”
"Democracy lives every day from what each of us is able to do, not only in the political sphere, which is a very important level, but also in terms of civic participation," said the government official.
In this regard, Isabel Rodrigues said "it depends on the way each of us can give oneself, the way each of us participates and the way each is able of being demanding about our representatives and rulers."
In her speech, the Regional Secretary also urged young people to acknowledge the value of democratic institutions.
"They should recognise the opportunity we have in our Region to choose our representatives and to take part in the decision-making process. It is not always easy because taking policy decisions involves a complexity of interests and opinions," added the government official.
Isabel Rodrigues also made a challenge to young people, urging them "not to forget over today's works and throughout their lives that our life should be guided by the principles of tolerance, respect and commitment."
"If we follow these principles in the complexity of collective decision-making, it will be easier to achieve the common good and this is the major goal of political activity," said the government official.
The Youth Parliament programme is an initiative of the National Assembly developed in partnership with regional legislative assemblies, the National Government and regional governments. It is aimed at young people attending middle junior high school as well at secondary school students.
The session that began Monday and continues today was attended by about sixty students from 30 regional schools.