Basseterre, St. Kitts – In yet another historic feat for the sub-regional Youth Parliamentary Association Movement, the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) and the National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua & Barbuda (NYPAAB) have joined forces to establish the Eastern Caribbean Youth Parliament Network (ECYPN).
Following months of drafting, the Agreement Establishing the ECYPN was signed on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2024, in a brief but momentous Virtual Ceremony, attended by Executive and Senior Members of both Associations. – NEWS – In a demonstration of commitment to educational advancement, Germany has awarded scholarships to two outstanding students, Rodison Jeffers from Nevis and Dillon Simmonds from Saint Kitts. These scholars have embarked on their journey by beginning online German language classes, enriching their cultural and linguistic understanding in preparation for their educational pursuits.
A pivotal moment in bilateral cooperation was reached during a meeting held at the Ministry of Education on . The Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, led discussions and officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation with the Ministry of Education of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Chamber of Crafts Flensburg.
The meeting was also attended by key senior government officials, including the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Lisa Pistana; the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Glenroy Blanchette; and the CEO of the TVET Council, Dr. Kertney Thompson.
Ms. Niehoff expressed her enthusiasm for the ongoing cooperation between Saint Kitts and Nevis and Germany, delighted by the positive response from students at both institutions and eagerly anticipates further collaboration.
Mrs. Ama Martin, the Special Envoy for Saint Kitts and Nevis to Germany, played a pivotal role in coordinating this initiative. Her instrumental efforts in organizing educational cooperation initiatives have been paramount to the success of this endeavor.
This significant interaction marks a promising chapter in the bilateral relations between Saint Kitts and Nevis and Germany, fostering opportunities for educational enrichment and professional growth. Signatories to the Agreement, Mr.
Hasani McDonald, President of the SKNYPA and Ms. Jessica Zouetr, President of the NYPAAB, spoke positively of the ECYPN’s mission. The ECYPN is expected to build on Tenet IV of the 2022 SKNYPA-NYPAAB Joint Agreement which seeks the establishment of Independent Youth Parliament Associations across the OECS sub-region.
Additionally, both Presidents commended the work of Former Presidents Mr. Mauriel Knight (SKNYPA) and Mr. Kamalie Mannix (NYPAAB) who led the charge for the establishment of formal relations between both entities in 2021.
Since the establishment of relations, the SKNYPA and NYPAAB have successfully executed two Joint Youth Parliament Sittings and in October 2023 along with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, spearheaded the Historic Inaugural ECCU Youth Parliament Sitting. Over the next few months, the ECYPN will continue supporting the ongoing efforts to establish Youth Parliament Associations in several Windward Island Territories, while planning the highly anticipated 2024 Sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Youth Assembly. –
