Why are the youth of Guernsey being ignored?

LAST year I took part in the Youth States, in which an elected group of young people comes together to debate selected issues facing this island.

The Youth States is still in its infancy, having only been running for two years, but that is no reason to discredit or disregard it. The youth come hopeful, wanting to share their otherwise unheard voices, believing they can make a difference. What do you think happened?

Deputies claim they want to hear the youths’ opinions, but when we speak out, we are ignored. Our lives will be presided over by these policies – therefore, it seems unfair not to listen to our views.

I am not proclaiming that the island’s fate should be sealed by minors, but it is undeniable that the current system does not afford the youth the opportunity to be heard. It is not as if deputies do not have a chance to listen to us – we have the Youth States debate and a Youth Forum, yet somehow deputies fail to engage. If deputies go to the bother of creating these assemblies, then they might as well listen to them. It needs to be made clear that the lack of political engagement is not the fault of Youth States/forum leaders – they have done everything in their power to support and empower Guernsey’s youth. Our under-representation is due to the government’s seeming inability to get involved.

People may question how the youth feel under-represented, given they have both a Youth States and Youth Forum, but if politicians don’t engage with these assemblies, then there is little point in having them. Are these forums here to tick an inclusivity box or to make a difference?

Unfortunately, last year’s Youth States debate got little media attention. Media attention is vital, as if the Guernsey populace do not hear the youth then they will not hold our opinion in regard when making decisions. Progressively, the voting age in Guernsey is 16, so while there is an argument that the young express their opinion at the polls, there are not enough youth to make this case viable.

If you take the proposed offshore wind farm for example, this is something that will impact the next generation more than anyone else, yet we do not have any say in this decision.

Guernsey is battling with an ageing population, and while political representation is not going to magically change that, issues the youth debated – such as the housing crisis – are contributing factors. The youth must leave Guernsey to achieve higher education – when they return, they face soaring house prices and now the potential of GST. Guernsey has no bright lights to draw in contemporary talent, and escalating house prices mean that for those without family on-island, it is just too expensive.

While the youth do not have all the answers, if deputies could acknowledge and work in conjunction with us, then we may find the answers needed to keep this island viable.

Environmental issues are one of the few topics in which the youth are listened to. We are constantly told that climate change is our generation’s issue to solve, and obviously the youth care about the planet, but politicians fail to realise that it is not our top priority. When discussing which issues to debate for Youth States, it soon became apparent that caring about the environment was a luxury. You are only prepared to entertain environmental issues if you have nothing more urgent to worry about. If you are struggling with depression or addiction, if you cannot afford a home, let alone heat one, saving the planet is not of the greatest importance.

What the youth wanted to debate was mental health services, the housing crisis and drug legalisation – these were the issues the youth of Guernsey felt most passionate about, these are things we want politicians to talk about and recognise. So, did they listen?

Unfortunately, on the day only six out of 38 deputies were able to attend. We had spent weeks preparing for this debate and it felt as if all our efforts had been for nothing. I understand they have the right to a weekend, but this was our one and only chance to speak out on the policies that will preside over our lives.

Regrettably, there is a perception among the youth that some politicians are just in it for the money, not because they care about the people. For many, the poor turnout to the Youth States debate confirmed this concern. If you are in politics because you care about the future of the people, which all deputies claim they are, then this debate should be of paramount importance. Deputies are hard-working and have a right to a weekend, but the youth have been forced into a situation where we only get one chance annually to speak out on the policies that will dictate our futures.

We are not paid to give our opinions, so we have no reason to be influenced by ulterior motives. We can comprehend complex policies, we are happy to debate and research, so why are we ignored? We have all the tools and resources, but people refuse to take notice. The youths’ beliefs are imperative to island success, yet currently we only get one chance annually to share our opinions on the legislation that will govern our future.

If the government is to implement durable, effective and inclusive policies, then they must be made in conjunction with those who will feel their effects most.

Here is a proposal of our own. The Youth Forum has recently elected a new group of representatives, so while deputies are debating legislation, ask assemblies such as the Youth Forum and Youth States to give their opinion on the proposed laws before they are passed. It costs nothing and will help to create an island that is both profitable and appealing for generations to come.