We also asked Bernard, the new Minister of Youth and Sports, about his ideas on how best to encourage the youth demographic to become more interested in governance.
This segment of the population appears to be the least motivated to get involved in democratic processes, such as the right to vote. Bernard told us that in his opinion, he and other government leaders need to be the ones to break the ice and reach out to the youth first:
Reporter
"As the minister responsible for youth-related matters, how will you seek to encourage the next generation of young people to participate in our democracy? It can't always be an old man's game."
Hon. Kevin Bernard - Minister of Youths, Sports & E-Governance
"In order for us to get the young people engaged in politics, in [the] decision making of this country, we, as leaders of this country, must be the first to engage them. We must set the right framework. We must ensure that we are their role models. You know, the behavior that has been seen in the House of Representatives, the National Assembly, it turns off youth in wanting to participate because they believe, you know, it's the same thing over and over. We have to be responsible leaders. We have to ensure that we set in the necessary programs and policies that will develop our youth, and want them - encourage them to participate. And I think focusing in that direction, getting them involved more in the decision-making process across this country because it's not just about bringing the youth around when you need them for your vote."
Last week Wednesday, Bernard's colleagues, Dr. Louis Zabaneh and Rodwell Ferguson, told us that they were attempting to engage the youths of the Stann Creek District and that they had different experiences in their interaction with their younger constituents:
File: November 12, 2020
Hon. Louis Zabaneh - Area Rep., Dangriga
"That's the only way that we will find out what the people are really going through when you sit with them and listen to them. You try to engage the Youth. The youth are far shyer when it comes to politics. So, you really have to sit down, reason with them, listen to them, try to understand what they are going through."
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson - Area Rep., Stann Creek West
"Very surprisingly, half of my voters, or even more were youths because I engage with them over the last 2 years. I made sure I registered as many of them, and today, it was very nice to see them out there working for me. They were computer operators. They were campaigners. They were greeters. So, I felt very good that I was able to energize the youth base. And so, once I'm successful, I will have to make sure that something is there for them."
