A young Bermudian called on the Government to make sure that up-to-date information is available about the island’s youth, and challenged her peers to be “active agents” for change when she spoke in Britain’s House of Commons today.

Callahj Simons represented Bermuda at a UK Youth Parliament sitting.

She joined about 300 other youth parliamentarians and contributed to discussions on issues of critical importance, the Government said.

Ms Simons spoke about belongingness as a “national currency that guarantees the future of Bermuda’s society”.

She added: “The link between oneself and their community encourages young people to go beyond engaging in social change, but leading it.”

Ms Simons told the House: “Despite youth services having a responsibility to support today’s young people, many organisations face difficulties when addressing this reality.

“Limitations such as insufficient resources, disconnect and obscure outcomes hinder Bermuda’s development.”

She noted that the child-related sustainable development goals of Unicef’s 2030 agenda evaluates the safeguarding efforts of nations for the rights of the child.

Ms Simons said: “Bermuda has not published data for the child-related indicators in the last decade, yet there is a wealth of services that express commitments to improving these areas for Bermuda’s youth.

“But resource scarcity diminishes the efforts of youth services to further develop, prevents public services from accommodating all and excludes young people from the discussions and data that concern them.

“As a member of various youth organisations, I resonate with these challenges.

“The craving to be in community is not limited to young people, other demographics feel it deeply.

“Therefore solidifying this connection can provide solutions for social problems we struggle to resolve.

“Such a vision is endorsed by organisations like the Youth Advisory Board for the Youth Mental Health Plan in Bermuda, a group lobbying for early legislation that advocates for mental health intervention.

“Other grass roots organisations like Open Your Heart Foundation, Bermuda Is Love and Future Leaders Bermuda recognise the demand for social improvements, through service, human rights and civic empowerment.”

She noted that the Government “is taking steps to meet young people where they are”.

Ms Simons said: “By creating an Office of Youth Affairs and a National Youth Council committed to development, our leaders are answering the call. But much more can and will be achieved.

“I implore Bermuda’s Government to provide greater resources to the Department of Statistics, to enable current youth data, continuing to support young people in creative and third spaces and to continue to make conceptual changes to policymaking that prioritises and engages the future of Bermuda.

“More importantly, I challenge young people across the island of Bermuda to be active agents, not passive onlookers in the quest for change.”

Ms Simons’s participation was made possible through an invitation from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons.

She became the fifth young Bermudian to address the UK Youth Parliament in the House of Commons.

The Government said: “This initiative was delivered through the collaboration and support of the Office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Government of Bermuda London Office.

“During the sitting, Ms Simons spoke from the dispatch box to youth representatives from across UK constituencies and fellow British Overseas Territories, advocating for greater awareness and accessibility of youth services and a stronger sense of belonging among young people.”

Ms Simons described her address as “an invaluable experience”.

She added: “Such a gathering of young people demonstrates the reality that excellence is attainable for those who engage.”

• Anyone interested in joining Youth Parliament Bermuda, should e-mail youthparliament@gov.bm