This article on ‘Youth parliament competitions for law students: All you need to know’ was written by Shudhi Malhotra, an intern at Legal Upanishad.
Introduction
Youth Parliament is a forum for young people to express their opinions, take part in determining policy, and influence the nation’s growth plan. It allows young people to express themselves in a structured way and enables them to emerge as promising future leaders. The notion to support the Youth Parliament in educational institutions to further develop democracy was conceived at the Fourth All India Whips Conference, which was held in Bombay in 1962. Students’ attitudes, which are crucial for directing the nation’s democracy in the proper direction, must also be taken into account when we think about how to build their abilities in them.
The Youth Parliament seeks to deepen and broaden knowledge of the sociopolitical, socio-legal, and socioeconomic fabric of our nation. It is a reproduction of the setting where lawmakers craft laws, formulate policies, and discuss and debate matters that have a significant impact on many people’s lives.
What is the youth parliament competition?
To actively and meaningfully engage in the democratic operation of our civic and political institutions, citizens must have a specific set of skills. An appropriate curriculum is therefore needed to train young people for their responsibilities as citizens in a democracy. Giving pupils facts is not enough to teach citizenship education.
Group discussion and role-playing strategies are used well in the Youth Parliament curriculum.
The country benefits from having young leaders participate in parliamentary affairs, but their active engagement is reliant on their familiarity with the process. Even political parties now understand how crucial it is to educate and orient their upcoming lawmakers.
In light of this trend, the Youth Parliament initiative should significantly contribute to training upcoming lawmakers for their positions in the national legislature and state legislatures.
The Historical background of Youth Competition
- The notion to promote the Youth Parliament in educational institutions to further develop democracy was conceived at the Fourth All India Whips Conference, which was held in Bombay in 1962.
- The Conference advised the government to “promote mock Parliamentary sessions at educational institutions and through Panchayats in rural areas.”
- This recommendation was reiterated at all future All India Whips’ Conferences.
- The program was initially referred to as the Mock Parliament Competition Programme when it started in 1966–1967.
- But in November 1972, at Bhopal, the Eight All India Whips’ Conference suggested that the name “Mock Parliament” be changed to “Youth Parliament.”
- The Youth Parliament Competition Scheme is the new name for the program.
Youth Parliament – Objectives
- To introduce the practices and procedures of Parliament to the younger generations.
- To instill in young people the values of responsibility and tolerance;
- To instill in the student body fundamental democratic ideas and to give them a thorough understanding of how democratic institutions function.
- The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs offers necessary incentives and training to states so they can carry out the strategy.
Facts and Significances
- It is beneficial to introduce the younger generations to the customs and processes of Parliament.
- It aids in fostering tolerance and discipline in young people’s thoughts.
- It imparts the fundamental principles of democracy to the student body and gives them a clear understanding of how democratic institutions operate.
- Young people can use it as a forum to express their views on issues that are important to them as Americans as well as specific issues and concerns that are linked to youth.
- It provides a venue for people to express their ideas, allowing them to perform an in-depth investigation of the society in which we live.
- Given that adolescents between the ages of 15 and 29 make up 27.5 percent of the population, it is important to provide kids with greater opportunities and mechanisms for civic engagement.
- One of these initiatives is the Youth Parliament, through which we may instruct in true citizenship.
- States receive the necessary instruction and support from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to carry out the program.
Youth Parliament in India
- To disseminate democracy throughout the entire nation, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has created an online page on the Youth Parliament.
- All national educational institutions are intended to be included in the National Youth Parliament Scheme.
- Together with topical concerns of national relevance, particular topics on government policies and initiatives like Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, etc. may be suggested for discussion at a Youth Parliament meeting.
- Each participant in the class will receive a digital certificate of participation.
- This portal will make a variety of training resources, including tutorials, books, training videos, and more, accessible to participants so they can receive e-training.
- The plan will also be implemented and monitored via this interface.
Eligibility for entry into the competition
Before the start of the Orientation Course, all universities and colleges that have been accredited by the UGC, the Government of India, or a state government must sponsor their nominations.
Participants would be permitted in the competition. Any additional institution may be added by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to compete.
Duration of Youth Parliament Sitting
The “Youth Parliament” meeting should not go longer than 55 minutes. The remaining time may be used for discussion of bills, motions, resolutions, etc. as well as questions, with approximately 20 minutes being set aside for questions.
Outlined in the relevant literature that would be provided at the Orientation Training held by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs before the start of each Competition.
Subject for discussion in the Youth Parliament Session
The issues brought up during the “Youth Parliament session” may be related to topics like social welfare, defense, social reform, economic development, inter-group peace, public health, education, internal security, and utilization of contemporary technologies, among others. Human rights, health, and education-related concerns may receive extra attention. a list of potential subjects for the presentation of objects.
Evaluation
A panel of judges, including:
- Members of Parliament/Ex-Members of Parliament would assess the performances of each team.
- A reputable academician from a non-participating institution, ideally in consultation with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs/Group Coordinator, and
- An officer of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
The “Winner” will be chosen from a merit list based on this evaluation. The members of the chosen teams will get rewards based on their meritorious individual accomplishments, which will also be appraised.
Conclusion
An innovative program called the National Youth Parliament educates young people about political and legislative processes. Encourage young people to get active in community issues, understand the perspective of the average person, form their own opinions, and express them clearly. The Youth is a time of hope and aspiration. It is appropriate to take advantage of this and help our young students develop their civic competence. As a result of their education, students should be equipped to think critically about societal issues and form informed opinions about them.
References
- AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF YOUTH PARLIAMENT COMPETITION, KVS, available at: https://no2patna.kvs.ac.in/sites/default/files/Youth%20Parliament_7.pdf
- Amruta Patil, Youth Parliament – Indian Polity Notes, Prepp, 18 February 2023, available at: https://prepp.in/news/e-492-youth-parliament-indian-polity-notes
- Youth Parliament, Navodaya, available at: https://www.navodaya.gov.in/nvs/nvs-school/JAIPUR/en/activities/Youth-Parliament/