Written by Chriseana Ramrekha
TRAINING sessions for youths who would be participating in the  13th Sitting of the National Youth Parliament (NYP) on Wednesday, November 6, at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown would be held every Saturday leading up to that date.This was revealed yesterday by Coordinator of the NYP, Ms. Christine Bailey, who told the Guyana Chronicle in a telephone interview that a training session would be held at the St. Joseph High School tomorrow, while the remaining sessions would be held at the National Library in Georgetown.

Among activities leading up to this year’s sitting of the NYP are a social dinner and a fundraising activity aimed at teaching participants leadership and responsibility.
The Guyana Youth Development Association (GUYDA) is convenor of the NYP, which aims to bring together young people from across Guyana to express their views, ideas and opinions in an unrestricted and constructive manner on issues of national importance and those affecting their growth and development.
Main activities of the NYP include soliciting expressions of participating interest; publicity and promotional campaign; regional outreaches; preparatory workshops on Parliamentary ethics; debating techniques; research, public speaking and advocacy.
The main source of funding for CYP comes from donations from the business community and project partners, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
The geographic scope of the NYP is Regions two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
The National Youth Parliament enables youths to develop their argumentative and reasoning skills while learning tolerance and patience. The outcome of deliberations is forwarded to the relevant authority for consideration.