While two young people were representing Bermuda in London for Commonwealth Day, other young people from across the Island gathered in the conference room of the XLGroup on Bermudiana Road to debate, share ideas and consider challenges and solutions confronting Commonwealth countries, including Bermuda.

Organised and moderated by the officers of Youth Parliament Bermuda, the day-long Commonwealth Day Youth Summit explored the theme ‘connecting cultures’ and in particular what challenges may be preventing cultures from connecting in various Commonwealth nations and what solutions there might be to overcoming these challenges.

“They improvised; they worked together; they sought information and they created presentations,” explained Youth Parliament Premier Ryan Robinson Perinchief.

Divided into groups of eight or nine, the representatives had to consider one of several issues, including social, political, economic, religious or environmental issues, hindering cultural connections between Commonwealth countries, including Bermuda, and the reaching of the eight Millennium Development Goals to reduce global poverty.

In the morning, the students from The Berkeley Institute, Bermuda High School, CedarBridge Academy, Impact Mentoring Academy, Saltus Grammar School and Somersfield Academy research and worked on the format of their presentations. Following lunch they debated the topic, “This House believes persons in this country should be made by law to vote” and then made their presentations to the judges who were Miss Bermuda Jana-lynn Outerbridge, former Youth Parliament Premier Samuel Bean and Craytona Smith. Deemed the best was the presentation by the team examining political issues dealing with illegal immigration in the Commonwealth: Luis Correia and Hamish McNiven (MSA), Markus Bean (CBA), Shamar Morris (Somersfield), Tariq Brown and Cameron Holdipp (Impact) and Michaela Ratteray (Saltus).

Prizes were awarded to students based on their participation in their groups and their presentation skills. The top eight presenters of the day were also recognised and awarded prizes.

“It was a good turnout,” Ryan observed, “almost every school was represented, and it was amazing how the participants improvised.”

Pleased with how well-planned and well-thought-out the day was, he noted that they hope to hold a similar conference next year.