Proposals for votes for 18 year olds, for the establishment of a Department of Youth, and for a National Youth Policy, will be made to Government by the Tonga Youth Parliament.

The 2004 session of the Tonga Youth Parliament ended on November 19 with seven proposals including a resolution proposing that Government establish a separate Department for Youth.

Semisi Hopoi, the Speaker of the Youth Parliament House, said that they had established a Law Committee and a Youth Parliamentarian Committee to draft the resolutions passed by the House, before submitting it to the Patron of the Youth Congress HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku'aho and to Government.

Semisi also said that other resolutions accepted by the Youth Parliament included the proposal for a National Youth Policy to be set up. There was also a proposal to reduce the legal age of voting in Tonga's General Election from 21 to 18 years of age so that youth have more say in who represents them in Parliament.

The annual Youth Parliament began on Monday November 15. Other resolutions passed included: to increase the number of police in 'Eua; to request the Ministry of Education to introduce the Niuafo'ou language as an optional subject in high school; the introduction of an over-18 identification card; to reduce the cost of oil for the Niuas; and to request the Ministry for Land, Survey and Natural Resources to progress with work on the site for a dump in Ha'apai.

Speaking at the closing ceremony the British High Commissioner to Tonga, Mr Paul Nessling...‚ said the British High Commission with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association support had been pleased to fund Tonga's first youth elections and to again fund another Youth Parliament.

"I trust that your experience of your own democratic electoral process and your parliamentary process will assist each of you to play significant roles in helping your country deliver the future that it wishes for its citizens," he said.

"Achieving employment and jobs for youth involve the whole of society ...….Jobs are only successfully created where there is the right economic climate in which investors feel secure and when the people are prepared to work hard and take pride in what they do.

"I wonder how many of you will be MP's in 5 years time and in 10 years what you have done to create job opportunities and good future for your children," Mr Nessling said.

The Youth Prime Minister Fatai Tokolahi...‚ replied that the Youth Parliament had made it possible to educate young people about Tonga's parliamentary system in an enjoyable and innovative manner.

" This unique experience has made us realize that governing is a very complex matter, and you have to consider not only what you perceive as being the correct thing, but then how you initiate it," Fatai said.

"In all, my impression has been very positive. The feelings of empowerment that you get when you're surrounded by such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of young people is something that has to be experienced to be believed.

"We, as young people, have to stand up for what we believe in and voice our opinions and concerns...… and take our places in our communities...…not just as young people, but as equal citizens," Fatai said.