Parliamentarian Shailiny Tromp Lee attended the Youth Parliament’s invitation at YMCA Dakota. This is one of the institutions she has consistently supported, and her daughter has even been part of the Youth Parliament for the past three years.
The Youth Parliament is a foundation that provides a special educational experience to our young people. This is clearly reflected in her own daughter, who has learned a great deal and grown as a person—she voices her opinions, knows her voice matters, and understands that she deserves to be heard. For Parliamentarian Shailiny Tromp Lee, this is exactly why she values what the Youth Parliament offers to its participants.
Last Friday, the Youth Parliament decided to give special attention to the Day of the Rights of the Child. This is fitting, as adults must also remain aware that children have rights. It is equally important to continue working on ways to ensure that the voices of children find a real place in the direction that is set for Aruba.
However, we must not overlook the fact that our young people have many ideas and ambitions. They deserve attention because the Aruba of today will become the Aruba they will lead tomorrow. The more we involve young people, the more they understand how political decisions shape the country and how they themselves can contribute to creating a better Aruba—for their own future and that of their children.
Parliamentarian Shailiny Tromp Lee believes that the Youth Parliament is doing an excellent job in this field, as is the Department of Social Affairs. Still, she believes more parents should encourage their children to participate in the Youth Parliament. The Youth Parliament works hard on youth development, but if children do not attend, they cannot participate or receive the tools needed to become successful, confident young adults who can stand firmly on their own.
Parliamentarian Shailiny Tromp Lee encourages all parents to let their children take part in the Youth Parliament. She emphasizes that it is not a political body, but rather an educational platform that helps shape future leaders across various areas. Participants learn, for example, how to dress for different occasions, what protocol means, how to speak, how to engage in group settings, understand hierarchical structures, and how to interact within different groups. Every child who participates benefits from it.
