Minister Belle Inaugurates Youth Empowerment Council to Advise Government on Policy Decisions
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Minister for Youth and Sports Kalsey Belle met with members of the newly established Youth Empowerment Council in an inaugural session at the Mayor’s Office in Victoria on Saturday morning, constituting the formal advisory body that will guide government on policies, legislation, and programmes affecting young people across Seychelles. The council provides a structured mechanism for youth participation in national decision-making, advising on strategies and development initiatives while serving as an interface between government, youth organisations, and young citizens. Its mandate is to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, and social inclusion.
The establishment of a formal youth advisory council carries direct significance for Seychellois aged thirty-five and under, who comprise a substantial portion of the national population. Having a dedicated channel for youth voices to reach the highest levels of government policy-making means that decisions on education, employment, health, and social services will be informed by those most directly affected. Young people struggling with unemployment, housing costs, and career development now have an institutional mechanism to raise concerns and propose solutions, potentially accelerating policy responses that might otherwise take years to materialise through traditional channels.
Council members include Liam D’Unienville, Rudy Sinon, Jean-Michel Vidot, Liah Pillay, Fabien Jeanne, Chirelle Lau Tee, Camilla Cupidon, Leah Pool, and Tannie Samedi, representing diverse youth backgrounds across Seychelles including Praslin, La Digue, and persons with disabilities, according to a State House press release. They have been appointed for a two-year term effective April 15, 2026. Minister Belle described the council as distinct from the Seychelles National Youth Council, which implements youth policies, and the National Youth Assembly, which focuses on youth education and confidence-building.
Members were selected by an independent committee based on their skills, backgrounds, and interests to ensure the council represents the diversity of Seychellois youth experience. Minister Belle highlighted the importance of understanding the complexities of governance, assuring members that their voices would reach the highest offices while encouraging resilience and noting that not all proposals could be implemented exactly as suggested. She stressed that who better to talk about the issues being faced than the youth themselves, and who better to advocate for young people than the youth themselves.
The inaugural session featured presentations from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Seychelles National Youth Council, and the National Sports Council, outlining areas where youth input would be valued. The establishment of dedicated youth advisory mechanisms reflects a broader government approach to participatory governance and the recognition that sustainable development requires engaging younger generations in decisions that will shape their future. Similar youth councils have proven effective in other small island developing states for channelling energy and ideas into constructive policy outcomes.
The council is expected to hold regular meetings with Minister Belle and relevant government departments, with its first formal recommendations anticipated within the coming months as it establishes its working methods and priority areas.
