Youth Parliament of Pakistan 2008-09

	About Youth Parliament Pakistan

	Why a Youth Parliament?
	Pakistan needs to strengthen its democratic institutions and inculcate democratic culture in the society. We need to discourage extremist tendencies and lack of tolerance for others’ beliefs and views and strengthen the rule of law. Open and informed debate on issues facing the society should be promoted. The society should develop tools, mechanisms and systems which can facilitate the exposure of democratic system to its citizens from an early stage.
	Introduction
	To engage youth in Pakistan in healthy discourse and expose them to the democratic process and practices, PILDAT has launched the project of Youth Parliament Pakistan. The first ever Youth Parliament Pakistan was launched in 2007. Members of Youth Parliament Pakistan are selected for duration of a year at a time. Establishment and facilitation of the Youth Parliament Pakistan is part of PILDAT's focus on Youth in the country and Youth's awareness education and training in the norms of politics and democracy in the country. PILDAT strongly feels that sustainable democracy and the sustainability of sound democratic institutions in Pakistan is not possible without youth's involvement in the democratic and political process even if this involvement is simply as a citizen or voter. The Youth Parliament Pakistan project is supported by the Global Opportunities Fund of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recognition of the importance of young people's involvement in democracy and democratic practices.
	Objectives
	The specific objectives of Youth Parliament Pakistan are to educate Pakistani Youth about politics and democracy and to demonstrate to them how Parliaments are able:
	to do legislation; to debate matters of national and international concern; to demand accountability from those in government; to discuss legislation in committee; to change government without recourse to civil disorder; and to make and enforce their own rules of conduct.
	In addition Youth parliament Pakistan serves as a useful forum to voice views of the Youth about a range of national and international issues. The debates in the Youth Parliament Pakistan are meant to not only help the young members in their personal development as a useful citizen, these also serve the purpose of articulating views of the youth on vital issues facing the nation and conveying these to the Government.

	Key Features of the Youth Parliament Pakistan
	As a model Parliament for young people, the Youth Parliament Pakistan is patterned after the National Assembly of Pakistan although its membership is smaller than that of the National Assembly. Wherever possible, the Youth Parliament of Pakistan follows the rules of procedures as close to the National Assembly as practical. However, better practices from other Parliaments are adopted to expose Pakistani Youth to better parliamentary practices.
	Membership
	The total membership of Youth Parliament Pakistan 2008-09 is 62. Gender profile of the Youth Parliament Pakistan represents 80% Male and 20% Female on open merit. The breakdown of the membership is as follows:
	Provinces/Areas		No. of Seats
	Punjab		29
	Sindh		13
	North West Frontier Province (NWFP)		07
	Balochistan		05
	Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)		03
	Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)		02
	Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K)		02
	Northern Areas (NA)		01
	Total Membership		62


	Age
	Only those young Pakistanis who are between the age of 18-29 years on August 01, 2009 are eligible to apply for membership of the Youth Parliament Pakistan for 2009-10.
	Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the Youth Parliament Pakistan
	The Youth Parliament Pakistan Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business are specially drafted learning from the National Assembly of Pakistan Rules and from other Youth Parliaments around the World. Rules of Procedures and Manual of Youth Parliament Pakistan are provided to new members at the time of Orientation after their selection.
	Subsistence Allowance
	There is a limited travel and subsistence allowance for members to attend the sessions of the Youth Parliament Pakistan.
	Youth Parliament Cabinet
	Youth Parliament Pakistan elects a six member cabinet and a shadow cabinet along with six Standing Committees and a Business Advisory Committee.
	Secretariat of the Youth Parliament Pakistan
	As the project implementer, PILDAT is the Secretariat of the Youth Parliament of Pakistan.
	Members’ Political Affiliation
	There is no bar on the actual political affiliation of the members. Youth Parliament Pakistan has two mock political parties: the Blue Party (Liberal) and the Green Party (Traditional) and members are asked to join either one of the political parties for the purpose of Youth Parliament. Joining one of the parties is obligatory for members. The party with majority of members forms the Youth Government.
	Minimum Work Days
	The Youth Parliament Pakistan meets for at least 30 days at 05 sessions in a year.
	Venue
	Sessions of the Youth Parliament Pakistan are held at Islamabad.


	Guidelines for Members of Youth Parliament Pakistan:
	Major responsibilities of Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) will be as follows:

	>> Take part in Parliamentary discussions
	>> Initiate debate/propose legislation on youth and public interest issues in Youth Parliament
	>> Study and contribute to legislation and issues discussed at Youth Parliament
	>> Effectively contribute to committee work

	Code of Conduct for Members of Youth Parliament Pakistan:
	Members are to act in a dignified manner throughout the proceedings of Youth Parliament Pakistan and not act in a way which is unbecoming of their stature.