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YUVA Mauritius · Civic engagement

Mauritius Youth Parliament.

Created by YUVA in 2014, the Mauritius Youth Parliament gave young people a structured platform to debate issues that mattered to them, develop their civic voice and participate more meaningfully in public life.

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The idea

Give young people a space where their opinions carry weight.

The Mauritius Youth Parliament was developed from a simple principle: young people should not have to wait until adulthood to engage seriously with the issues shaping their society.

YUVA created the initiative as a platform for young people to express ideas, question assumptions, debate public issues and build an understanding of democratic participation.

The original model borrowed elements of parliamentary procedure to make civic learning practical rather than theoretical. Participants could experience debate, representation, public speaking and collective decision-making within a structured youth environment.

Voice of today
Young people are not only future citizens. They are citizens whose ideas, concerns and experiences matter now.

The Mauritius Youth Parliament was built around youth voice, civic learning, respectful debate and participation in issues of public concern.

Recorded impact

Participation that went beyond the debating chamber.

YUVA’s 2023 Projects Update records the cumulative participation and volunteer engagement generated through Mauritius Youth Parliament sessions.

Participants 1,027 People participated across Mauritius Youth Parliament sessions.
Volunteers 48 Volunteers contributed to organising and supporting the initiative.
Media 5 Pieces of press coverage were recorded from local newsrooms.
Issues debated 5 Major themes documented in YUVA’s project reporting.
Why a youth parliament?

Democracy becomes more meaningful when participation is learned by doing.

01
Amplify youth voice Create a structured space where young people can articulate concerns, priorities and ideas affecting their generation.
02
Build civic understanding Help participants understand debate, representation, public institutions and the responsibilities that accompany democratic participation.
03
Develop leadership Strengthen confidence, research, listening, public speaking, argumentation and responsible decision-making.
04
Encourage action Move participation beyond discussion by encouraging young people to engage with issues within their own communities.
Programme history

From an idea in 2014 to a national youth civic-engagement initiative.

The Mauritius Youth Parliament was launched by YUVA in October 2014. Its first sitting followed in November 2014 in Port Louis.

Subsequent sessions brought young people, speakers, activists and organisations together around contemporary social and governance issues.

OCT 2014
Mauritius Youth Parliament launched YUVA established the initiative as a platform for youth voice and civic participation.
NOV 2014
First sitting in Port Louis The parliamentary model moved from concept into practical youth participation.
2015
Public issue-based sessions Sessions explored issues including animal welfare, LGBTI rights and good governance.
LEGACY
Civic engagement as youth development The initiative became part of YUVA’s wider work promoting youth leadership, participation and social responsibility.
Issues debated

Difficult questions belong in the conversation.

YUVA’s project reporting documents Mauritius Youth Parliament debates on a range of social, civic and development issues.

Society Animal welfare A public debate around responsibility, treatment and protection of animals.
Rights LGBTI rights Discussion of rights, discrimination and equality within Mauritian society.
Governance Good governance Exploring responsibility, institutions, decision-making and public accountability.
Development Sustainable Development Goals Connecting global development priorities with youth awareness and participation.
Equality Gender equality Examining participation, opportunity and equality through a youth perspective.
The original model

Parliamentary structure as a tool for civic learning.

The original Mauritius Youth Parliament framework mirrored elements of parliamentary representation to give participants a practical experience of democratic structures.

The model described 50 youth parliamentary seats, representation across Mauritius’ 20 constituencies and opportunities for young people aged 15 to 24 to participate.

Its purpose was educational and civic: learning how to represent others, debate issues, listen to opposing views and reach decisions within a structured process.

Original framework 50 seats The historic MYP model was designed around a 50-member youth parliamentary structure.
Representation 20 constituencies The framework drew on Mauritius’ constituency structure to teach representation and accountability.
Youth participation Ages 15–24 The original programme was designed to create opportunities for young people in this age group.
Political position Non-partisan Discussions were intended to focus on issues rather than represent the position of any political party.
What young people develop

Civic participation builds skills that travel far beyond politics.

Debate and representation can strengthen capabilities useful in education, employment, leadership and community life.

Communication Public speaking Learn to express ideas clearly, structure an argument and communicate in front of others.
Thinking Critical reasoning Examine competing claims, evidence and assumptions before reaching a position.
Democracy Representation Understand the difference between speaking only for oneself and carrying the views of others.
Leadership Responsibility Experience the obligations that accompany visibility, authority and public trust.
Dialogue Respectful disagreement Learn to challenge ideas without treating disagreement as personal hostility.
Citizenship Civic participation Recognise that citizens can engage with public issues through more than voting alone.
Principles

Participation requires freedom of expression and responsibility.

The original Mauritius Youth Parliament code placed particular emphasis on non-partisanship, representation, respect and constructive participation.

01
Be issue-based, not party-political. Civic debate should focus on the substance of an issue rather than party allegiance.
02
Represent more than your own opinion. Representation involves listening to the people whose voices you are entrusted to carry.
03
Respect disagreement. Different opinions should be engaged with constructively and without personal hostility.
04
Take participation seriously. Democratic voice carries responsibilities as well as rights.
05
Make room for marginalised voices. Inclusive participation requires deliberate attention to young people whose perspectives are often unheard.
From the MYP archive

Revisit some of the conversations.

Session 2 · 2015 LGBTI rights in Mauritius A Mauritius Youth Parliament session examining rights, equality and discrimination through debate and public participation. Explore the archive → Session 3 · 2015 Good governance Reflections on arguments explored during a Mauritius Youth Parliament session focused on governance and public responsibility. Explore the archive → Project record YUVA Projects Update Explore YUVA’s wider project record, including the documented impact of the Mauritius Youth Parliament initiative. View project update →
Keep youth voice moving

Civic participation does not end with one programme.

Participate Volunteer with YUVA Contribute your time and skills to youth-led programmes, events and community initiatives. Become a volunteer → Create Propose an idea Have an idea for youth participation, democracy, leadership or community action? Share it with YUVA. Propose an idea → Collaborate Partner with YUVA Explore institutional, educational or corporate collaboration around youth civic engagement and leadership. Start a conversation →
Youth voice matters

Give young people more than an audience. Give them a role.

Connect with YUVA Mauritius about youth participation, civic education, leadership initiatives, volunteering or institutional collaboration.

Contact YUVA +230 5252 5556