Youth Parliament resumed this week, with members addressing a raft of proposed initiatives including parental responsibility legislation and educational change.

Their concerns were stated directly to the powers that be Premier Ewart Brown, Deputy Premier Paula Cox and Opposition Leader Kim Swan all attending the opening.

Youth Premier Coy Kijaun Millett told the political leaders of his intention to "closely scrutinise and address" the 2008 Throne Speech in upcoming parliamentary sessions.

"The work of Youth Parliamentarians is even more important today and thus we must be vigilant in our role of giving young people a voice, listening to marginalised groups, organising events, speaking with MPs, lobbying for change, organising campaigns and appearing in the media, all to amplify the views of the youth," he said.

"Most importantly, we will closely scrutinise and address... legislation, programmes and strategies mentioned in last year's Throne Speech, which was entitled 'A Focus on Family and Youth a Vision for the Future'."

Areas to be examined included:

• Apprenticeship regulations in support of the National Training Board Act 1997

• Creation of a one-stop career centre

• Expansion of the Jumpstart programme

• Strategies to deal with anti-social behaviour in schools

• Early childhood education

• School assistance teams for school improvement

• Amendments to the Auxiliary Bicycles Act 1954, in particular graduated licensing

• The introduction of road safety strategy

• The establishment of a juvenile and family treatment system

• Parental responsibility legislation

• The development of youth through sport, and the building of a swimming and diving complex at the National Sports Centre

• Establishment of a cultural legacy fund

Dr. Brown congratulated Youth Parliament members on their interest in learning about their country's politics.

Ms Cox encouraged the young politicians on their efforts and stressed the importance of having a well-rounded education.

She said: "You are young, gifted and qualified. Make sure that what you learn does more than reward your intellectual abilities. Life skill, survival skills and relevancy are equally important as academics.

"Politics is about life so I commend you for your active participation in studying about government in your Country.

"I hope this signifies that you plan to take an even more active role and involvement in politics and governance and government as the years go by. You should. Those to whom much is given much is expected."

The Finance Minister continued with a brief explanation of the debate on the Budget that will take place today in the House of Assembly.

"To be clear the Budget debate is a debate on the estimates of revenue and expenditure and, how we as a Government allocate the monies in the Government's bank account known as the Consolidated Fund and where we direct the resources.

"What are our priorities? What are the programmes? What are the policies?

"What is the investment that we will make in Bermuda's future? In your future? You are the future."

Mr. Swan said he particularly looked forward to this session's debates for two reasons he is a former Youth Parliamentarian and his daughter, Zindziswa, is a current member.

"More than 35 years ago, I was also a Youth Parliamentarian and Youth Speaker of the House," he stated. "To sit in the House of Parliament as a Youth Parliament alumni is a particular honour.

"In my case (Government Senator) David Burch was a Youth Parliament mentor and helped many of us younger students learn parliamentary procedures.

"To the extent that we sit on opposite sides of the political divide (today), reinforces to me the importance of respect towards each other irrespective of which side of the political divide you sit. (That) is the key aspect I would like to share with Youth Parliamentarians."