Bermuda’s Youth Parliamentarian Halle Teart was awarded top honours as ‘Most Outstanding Debater’ in the 15th Annual Regional Youth Parliament debate held in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago on 17 July, 2019.
Two young Bermudian debaters chosen from Youth Parliament Bermuda, Chrysda Smith and Halle Teart were selected to represent Bermuda at the debate. Along with several Youth Parliamentarians from the Caribbean, they debated the motion: “Securing our Borders to Mitigate the Effects of Crime whilst striving to meet our Humanitarian Obligations.”
Bermuda Youth Parliamentarian Ms. Smith served as an Opposition member and Ms. Teart served on the Government side as the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government.
Ms. Teart commenced her argument by rebutting points put forward by the Opposition and stating the effects migration can have on development if not properly managed and properly addressed. She successfully argued the difference between a migrant and a refugee in addressing our humanitarian obligations.
Accompanying the two youth parliamentarians was Youth Parliament Senior Advisor, Mr. Russell Lister. He said, “I was not surprised, in particular when Ms. Teart was challenged with a point of order. She did not ignore it nor give a quick response as she took the time to ensure that she addressed the point of order fully to dismiss any attempt to weaken her argument.”
“Our Youth Parliamentarians are to be commended for their outstanding performance at the Annual Regional Youth Parliament,” said a proud Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon. Dennis P. Lister, JP, MP. “They indeed deserve our support for their tremendous international achievements.”
The Deputy Speaker, Derek Burgess, JP MP; Mr. Scott Simmons, JP, MP; the Opposition Deputy Leader, Ms. Leah Scott, JP, MP and delegation secretary, Ms. Nadine Place also travelled to Trinidad to attend the 44th Annual Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
The 15th Annual Regional Youth Parliament was held in the wider context of the Regional Conference, with the overall theme of “Globalisation and Nationalism: Quo Vadis – Impacts on Commonwealth Parliaments”.
Editor's Note: Photos attached are of Halle Teart, age 18, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University and Chrysda Smith, age 17, a student at Bermuda High School for Girls.
