Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 13th March 2026: The National Youth Parliament of the Turks and Caicos Islands convened the first sitting of the second meeting of the Fifth Session on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Hon. N.J.S. Francis Building on Pond Street, Grand Turk. The sitting also welcomed new members joining the 2026–2027 cohort of Youth Parliamentarians.
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Youth Parliament (TCINYP) is a non-partisan initiative designed to provide young people across the Turks and Caicos Islands with a platform to express their views, engage in meaningful debate, and network while discussing issues of national importance within the setting of the House of Parliament.
During the sitting, members debated a motion urging the Government to actively engage educational institutions, civil society organizations, and youth leaders in developing and implementing strategies aimed at strengthening the culture of democratic participation among young people.
Several recommendations emerged from the debate, including calls for civic education to begin as early as primary school, the introduction of youth-focused town hall meetings hosted by the Government, and investment in opportunities for young people to observe electoral processes in other countries. Members also emphasized the importance of early voter registration and utilizing technology and digital platforms to educate young people about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Participants noted that greater engagement is needed to encourage youth participation in elections, particularly as youth voter registration and turnout during the 2025 General Elections were significantly lower compared to other age groups.
Speaker of the Parliament, Youth Parliament Aaron Garland expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the initiative. “Having previous interactions with parliament in my role in the public service, it was really surreal to be in such a seat. It was an honour to be given the title of Speaker of the House. Being able to listen to members make their valuable contributions regarding youth engagement and participation, gave me a really warm feeling and gives me hope that these issues that are being presented can actually come into fruition. I look forward to serving the house with the utmost integrity and respect.”
Premier, Shakiah T. Lewis spoke to her long-standing connection to the programme. “I’ve been in Youth Parliament since 2013, I started when the programme was recruiting 4th and 5th formers. It really holds a very soft spot in my heart because I’ve known what it was to start the programme and to see it flourish and do what it is doing now. I’m so happy to see so many new faces who are interested in it and you can now see that our reach of the initiative is spreading so far, that you have people going to school in the UK who are interested in joining as soon as they get home. For the young people who are still thinking about whether I should join the youth parliament, join. Even if you aren't ready to speak in front of everybody, there are positions there for you.”
Leader of the Opposition Layton Lewis, shared his thoughts on being a part of the initiative.
“The National Youth Parliament has always been my outlet to express the passion and patriotism I hold for my country. It has provided me with a platform to voice my true thoughts and concerns on the matters affecting Turks and Caicos Islanders and that is of true importance for a young person hoping to reshape the future. As a newly appointed Leader of the Opposition, it allowed me to see Parliament with a fresh pair of eyes, recognizing that accountability does not mean scrutiny, and criticism does not mean negativity. We all have a role to play in creating a unified, fair, and prosperous Turks and Caicos.”
Deputy Premier Antwon Walkin, also spoke about his experience during the debate. “I started my speech with a hymn today, ‘Send the Light’, and that is exactly how I feel about the process we had today; beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It illuminated our country, it has shown our country that the youth are here, they’re here to stay and we have a purpose and we want to fulfill that purpose no matter what method or medium it is. This is one that is very powerful, it being youth parliament, it’s one that it broadcast nationally and it is one that represents the Turks and Caicos Islands within and without its borders. Its a real powerful representation of the potential of the country and what people can expect from the next generation of our country.”
Opposition Member Jim St. Fleur also reflected on his experience participating in the sitting. “It was remarkable. For my first experience attending and contributing, I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. To have watched is one thing, but to have been in the room, was something surreal. To open your thought and speech up to public scrutiny in such a manner is no small feat. There were 14, loud, proud ambassadors of these islands lifting their voices in unity, to object to stagnation and breathe new life into democracy. The energy in the room was something else. I’m proud of our Honorable YP Members. When I stood and called it a glorious day, I meant that. You just had to have been there.”
Minister of Health and Human Services Selena Grant, a new member of the parliament said “It was such an eye opening experience, listening to everyone's perspective, how passionate they were about the topic… It was not only an intellectual and exciting experience but it was also very fun and engaging and I think watching the youth parliament today, would get a lot of young people up and ready to learn about governance, politics and laws and how we can shape policies in the country that is supposed to support and represent them. The Youth Parliament is a great initiative to get young people on board so that they too can learn and want to engage.”
Member of the Opposition David Been also highlighted the significance of the initiative in preparing the next generation of leaders. “Youth Parliament is important to me because it gives young people a real opportunity to step into leadership and understand how decisions that affect our country are made. Too often, young people feel like their voices don’t matter, but initiatives like this remind us that our ideas have value and our participation matters. In my speech, I mentioned a quote by philosopher John Dewey who said, “Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife.” Youth Parliament helps prepare the next generation to lead and strengthen the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Member of Parliament for Leeward & Long Bay and member of the Youth Parliament Executive Committee, Hon. Akierra Missick, also underscored the importance of the initiative and expressed optimism for the new cohort.
“As the minister of education I brought the youth parliament back to the forefront of one of the stellar youth activities that needed to take place in the islands. Because as I believed then as I do now, young people do not need an invitation to take part in the public discourse, the opportunity must be created where they can seamlessly walk and enter into public discourse on matters that affect them and affect our nation. I am excited about the 2026/2027 cohort of youth parliamentarians… The reason why I am excited is that the opportunity for Turks and Caicos Islanders to see the same children we have been lobbying for, increasing educational opportunities for and now hear them stand firm and proud as Turks and Caicos Islanders in our national youth parliament admonishing us as adults to remember that we have an obligation to ensure the door is left open so that they can walk through seamlessly; but not just walk through and take up space, walk through and contribute and every presentation that we heard on Monday was a testament to the hard work and dedication that each youth parliamentarian had put in. Their preparation, their ability to stand firm and discuss issues that may be sensitive in these islands but that they are not shy in discussing and bringing to the forefront and having their voices heard. I look forward to further sessions with this cohort and I'm happy to continue being their mentor.”
The sitting concluded with Youth Parliamentarians expressing hope that the Government will carefully consider the recommendations presented during the debate. Members emphasized that young people want their contributions to be taken seriously and recognized as part of the national conversation on governance and civic participation. They also expressed optimism for the year ahead, noting that they look forward to a productive term filled with continued debate, collaboration, and opportunities to contribute meaningful ideas that can positively shape the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. They remain committed to ensuring that the voices of young Turks and Caicos Islanders are heard and represented in discussions that affect the nation’s development and democratic progress.
