YouthRegister2Vote SNYA launches new project to increase youth engagement in electoral process |16 January 2020
Ambassador Reimer (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
The YouthRegister2Vote project, initiated by the 16th cohort of the Seychelles National Youth Assembly (SNYA) with the support of various partners including the United States embassy for Mauritius and Seychelles, was officially launched during a brief ceremony at National House yesterday afternoon.
The special outreach project which aims to empower young people to actively participate and engage in the electoral process, seeks to raise awareness among the youth of the fundamental duties of every citizen which include upholding and defending the Constitution and the law, furthering the national interest and fostering national unity while also contributing towards the well-being of the community.
Funded by the US embassy for Mauritius and Seychelles, the project has numerous components including capacity building for members of the assembly, and raising awareness of the electoral process through outreach sessions at post-secondary and professional centres across the country and in communities including on Praslin, La Digue.
As explained by the Speaker of SNYA, Marlon Esparon, it is hoped that the project will help to increase the total number of registered young voters and inspire eligible voters to vote.
In order to ensure the project is a success, the cohort intends to build capacity of local youths, to get as much media exposure as possible and community outreach.
So far, numerous members of the assembly have received training in democracy and the electoral process and further training sessions are scheduled for the period prior to the presidential elections.
To help spread the message, the young leaders have also designed a logo, which was unveiled yesterday and which is being used to brand items such as power banks, bracelets and eco-friendly reusable bottles.
The chairperson of Citizens Democracy Watch Seychelles (CDWS), Gerard Linsam, expressed his support for the project and urged all citizens to demonstrate a sense of political maturity as we progress into the presidential elections later this year.
“Article 24 of the Constitution of Seychelles guarantees our citizens the right to participate in public affairs. However, we the citizens also have the responsibility to be educated and informed, the responsibility to vote, the responsibility to give back to the community, the responsibility to listen openly to opposing points of view and learn from them, and the responsibility to participate fully in the democratic process,” he said.
“Young people, take an interest in our Constitution, be part of those who appreciate and understand the Constitution which is the very source from which essential tenets of a modern democracy flow,” Mr Linsam stated, reiterating CWDS’ commitment towards playing a more active role in empowering citizens and encouraging more people to be part of the electoral process.
Chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), Penny Belmont, also addressed all youths, urging them to register to vote and be part of the process which shapes their future.
“Our focus is on step one only, register to vote. The rest is up to you. This project is a good project where you get the chance to participate, take time to listen well, ask questions and make informed decisions,” she said.
CEO Belmont proceeded to thank all the partners for their support in realising the project and congratulated the 16th cohort of SNYA for the innovative initiative.
Delivering the keynote address during the launch yesterday, ambassador of the US to Seychelles, David Reimer, spoke of the “fundamental American value”, democracy, and the US’s pride in partnering with the youth of Seychelles to raise awareness of the importance of democratic engagement and encourage young people to vote.
“We applaud the initiative shown by Seychelles youth to bring a communication campaign, encouraging young Seychellois voters. Seychelles youth represent an incredible voice that can reach their peers, other young voters. Youth democratic engagement is vital to the continued success of the political system. I’m glad to see the Seychellois youth developing engaging material using Facebook, Youtube and others to reach young voters,” Ambassador Reimer concluded.
To end the launch, the numerous stakeholders posed for a souvenir photograph.
The motion put forth to initiate the project was approved by SNYA in June 2019.
Laura Pillay
