Student’s participation in the (online) 25th Session of Youth Parliament
In terms of the program ”Youth Parliament – Democracy Steps: Putting Participation into Action, 10th grade student D. Karavasilis represented our school as a regular member in the workings of the 25th Session, which was held online, from Wednesday, 14 July to Friday, 16 July 2021.
He earned first place in the voting and was elected by the Participatory Action Group, consisting of twenty 10th – 11th grade students who have worked throughout the school year.
The program in which our student participated is an educational program that is annually organized by the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Democracy, in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs. It aims to develop active citizenship in practice within a collaborative, experiential, research and holistic approach.
The following passage demonstrates the student’s personal experience of his participation:
Referring to the Youth Parliament older students used to tell me: “The Youth Parliament offers a brand new unique experience” and “The participation in the Youth Parliament will provide you with significant tools for your future ventures.” At that time, assuming a role in the workings of the Geek Parliament seemed a dream beyond reach. Their claims sounded hyperbolic to me, even strange and unusual.
Nevertheless, my participation in the 25th Session of the Youth Parliament proved their assertions to be more than true. The sense of community, constructive cooperation and formation of a complete image of the remote –and often misjudged- parliamentary institutions was a thrilling experience, which can also function as an important resource for my student and social life.
Furthermore, the unique benefits that one derives from the Youth Parliament are not restricted only to the three days of the Session’s duration. They begin to emerge since students of all schools form Participatory Action Groups, conduct research, negotiate and examine the topic that will be discussed at the Session, by communicating their propositions and experiences.
For me this stage was the most fundamental part of my participation, since our engaging and broad topic “Environment and people on the move” sparked a plethora of discussions, an exchange of opinions and a multifaceted research, all of which resulted in remarkable outcomes. These outcomes accompanied me at the 25th Session and constructed the spirit of my participation and online presence in the Greek Parliament, which lies at the core of the Greek Republic. During that time, from 14 to 16 of July, my dream was realized through the computer monitor.
The first day was concluded with a broad discussion related to the topic “Environment and people on the move” at which our propositions and remarks were given the opportunity to rise to the surface and be more thoroughly discussed, always aiming at the general will and the reach of a useful and functional outcome. Within the framework of the first meeting, we, committee members of the Youth Parliament, developed an autonomous dialogue employing social media. This dialogue was continued even after the completion of the meeting and transformed the serious atmosphere of a parliamentary committee into an atmosphere of a coherent group of people.
The second day was the most special of all! By conversing with the specialized representative of the High Commission for Refugees, we were led towards the coding and systematizing of our propositions. Later on and after a brief committee meeting, we, members of the Youth Parliament and Senior High School students, met with Mrs. Maria Ampatzidi, member of the Parliament representing the political party MeRA25, in order to develop the committee’s proposals and gain experiential knowledge of the parliamentary procedures. At the same time, the discussion that unfolded highlighted that almost 30 different people with distinct experiences and ideological or political perspectives are able to reach a point of convergence of opinions and even an agreement on fundamental issues, by exhibiting positive attitude as well as not betraying their personal ideas and beliefs.
Finally, the day was completed with the formation of two questions addressed to the President of the Parliament and propositions that would comprise our conclusions. No words can sufficiently describe how moved I was when the two questions that I had submitted were finally selected and all my propositions were included in the committee proposals, even if 3 other efficient partners of mine were chosen to voice them.
On Friday 16 July, the last day of the Session, my sentimental reaction reached its top. In the morning, the committee meeting emphasized on the important outcome of our work and ended with a memorable farewell. A few hours later the plenary sitting coordinated by the President of the Parliament, Mrs. Tasoula, took place. During this meeting we were given the opportunity to communicate our propositions and pose our questions via our representatives.
This Youth Parliament journey came to an end with a magnificent concert given by the Music Senior High School of Alimos. The online conduction of the 25th Session could only slightly interfere with the joy and emotions we experienced during that afternoon.
Although several days have passed since the Session, all these feelings remain unaltered. Participating in the Youth Parliament, which enables young people to voice their ideas, will always stay in my memory as the highlight of my political journey and as a paradigm of how the world of politics operates in a democratic society. Consequently, every student who is characterized by political thinking and an interest in the social affairs, is deemed suitable to take part in the “Youth Parliament” program, replacing for a few days his or her student role with that of a member of the Youth Parliament.
28 students of Mandoulides Schools (plus 4 substitute members) have taken part in the Youth Parliament since 1998.
