Preparations for Junior National Council on track

WINDHOEK, 29 AUG – Preparations for the second session of the Junior National Council (JNC) are going well with the Council set to convene on 30 to 31 August 2018 to discuss topical issues such as human trafficking and cyber-crime.
Other topics to feature in the two-day session include youth participation in the national budgeting process and their involvement in extractive industry in a bid to enhance their economic and social development.
This was contained in a media statement issued by the Secretary to the National Council (NC) Emilia Mkusa on Tuesday.
“The National Council is pleased with the ongoing preparation of this upcoming session,” said Mkusa, adding the JNC preparatory committee was hard at work to ensure that all is in place for the commencement of the event.
JNC is part of the NC’s initiatives that seek to enhance public participation in the lawmaking process.
“The programme further aims to develop basic understanding of parliamentary functions and practices, legislative procedures as well as the importance of review and oversight in lawmaking,” she said.
A total of 42 Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners from various schools across Namibia will participate in the session, which is expected to start at 13h30 on 30 August 2018 and 09h30 on 31 August 2018.
Inaugurated in 2017, the JNC is the mouthpiece of school-going Namibian youth through which they voice their opinions and debate matters of national and international concern.
The youth body was formalised through a motion passed in national council in 2013.
Its composition mirrors that of its senior counterpart, with three members from the 14 junior regional councils, which culminates to the 42-members of the JNC.
In their maiden year, the young parliamentarian passed several recommendations including a motion seeking the removal of a clause in the Marriages Act (Act No. 25 of 1961) which can allow children under the age of 18 to marry if the minister responsible approves. – NAMPA