VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Regional Youth Parliament of the Indian Ocean (PRJIO) held its first plenary session on Thursday afternoon, during which it adopted its founding declaration. Composed of 13 members, the PRJIO brings together young people from the five member states of the Indian Ocean Commission (COI): the Union of the Comoros, France (on behalf of Reunion), Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The first session was held at the National Assembly of Seychelles, which hosted the participants.
With the support of COI experts, the young parliamentarians worked on the drafting of each article of the declaration. The declaration was then presented in detail by the Honourable Elgin Créa, president of the Commission of Spaces, and the Honourable Andrianirina Rabenitsiry Mario Heriniana, president of the Commission of Persons. Together, they explained the content of the document to ensure a full understanding by all members, while reaffirming the mandates and objectives of the PRJIO as a body representing the youth of the region.
The declaration was adopted unanimously by the assembly. The president of the National Assembly of Seychelles, the Honourable Roger Mancienne, closed the session by thanking all those who contributed to the successful launch and operationalisation of the Regional Youth Parliament. The former president of the Council of Ministers of the COI and current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, stressed that the creation of the PRJIO represents a concrete commitment to the empowerment of young people. He insisted that the voice of young people is one of the most powerful tools for shaping the future. The cohort is also engaged in training and interactive activities organised by the COI the following Wednesday.
