The Speaker of the National Assembly has commended the youth's decision to create their own assembly, a mechanism through which, he said, they would learn to be tolerant of different views and opinions.

Speaker Francis MacGregor was speaking at the official launching Wednesday of the first ever Seychelles National Youth Assembly (SNYA) at the National Assembly hall, Victoria, where it also held its first sitting.

At Wednesday's ceremony, the 41-member SNYA elected Clifford Andre – an executive member on the National Youth Council and also a captain, by profession in the Seychelles Coast Guard– as Speaker while Ms Sylvia David, a secretary with the Seychelles Police, was chosen as the clerk of the new youth assembly.

The members pledged to "serve the SNYA to the best of their ability, to comply with rules and regulations governing its proceedings and to always conduct themselves with dignity, respect and with tolerance for their colleagues."

The launching ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Francis MacGregor, education and youth minister Danny Faure, youth principal secretary Alain Volcère, the leader of the Opposition Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan, the leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Hon. Patrick Herminie and a few MNAs.

The inauguration of the country's first youth assembly also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the National Assembly of the Third Republic.

Wednesday's ceremony also saw the presentation of badges and assembly documents to the young parliamentarians by Speaker MacGregor and Minister Faure.

In his speech to mark the occasion, Hon. MacGregor said he was very much impressed by the youth's decision to create their own assembly, a mechanism through which they would learn to live with and appreciate each other's way of thinking.

He advised the young parliamentarians to ensure that the proceedings of the SNYA were always in line with the parliamentary principles and regulations.

"It is not always easy to satisfy everybody, but as a Speaker I have learnt over the past few years that if you allow your decisions to be guided by the principles, regulations, courage and sense of justice, you are in the right," he told them.

He told the young parliamentarians it was important for them to learn that a different opinion did not necessarily mean division and that they should not feel threatened if a new approach was taken.

"If you want to push forward an argument, do it with rationality, be reasonable and never try to win support through personal attacks, because it is a waste of time and you will not succeed in convincing anyone," Speaker MacGregor reminded them.

For his part, Minister Faure said that at the end of each sitting, SNYA would have to submit a report of their deliberations to his ministry and recommendations made could be taken up by the National Assembly.

SYNA, Minister Faure said, was an educational institution through which the youth would broaden their knowledge about the country's constitution, develop their ability to become good leaders and responsible citizens.

Minister Faure said that SNYA would have a one-year mandate and by July next year it would be constituted of 50 youths who will represent each district on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue as well as various youth organisations and councils. 

By the year 2013, 500 young leaders would have gone through the institution, he said. 

Upon taking his seat as Speaker, Hon. Andre said the launching of SNYA "was a testimony of the importance the government places on youth development."

He urged the young delegates to make the most of the forum in bringing forward issues pertinent to the youth population.

SNYA is expected to convene once very two months at the ex-Assembly Hall at National House.

At the end of their mandate, the members will be awarded with certificates and medals with the SNYA emblem.

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