The National Assembly of Seychelles, in collaboration with the Association des Parlements des etats members de la Commission de l’ocean Indien (AP-COI), is proud to announce the inaugural Parlement Regional des Jeunes de l’ocean Indien (PRJOI). This historic event marks the first of its kind for the region and aims to bring together young champions and community leaders from across the Indian Ocean, in order to foster youth empowerment and participation in legislative decision-making processes. Set to officially launch in April 2025, the PRJOI strives to provide a structured platform for young voices to be heard on national, regional, and international levels. The project is supported by the Commission de l’ocean Indien (COI), the Assemblee parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD), through the Gouvernance, Paix, et Stabilite (GPS) project.
Youth from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, La Reunion, and of course Seychelles, will have the opportunity to engage in a regional parliamentary structure designed to create the opportunity for policymaking and participation in democratic governance. These opportunities include, but are not limited to parliamentary simulations, leadership trainings, advocacy workshops, discussions on regional issues such as climate change and sustainable development, and the creation of a dynamic network of youth leaders. Additionally, the selected youth members will have the opportunity to represent their nation at the upcoming Parlement Francophone Regional des Jeunes (PFRJ), set to be held in Mauritius in July 2025.
Following applications, six representatives per country will be selected following a gender-balanced and transparent selection process. Applications open today, Friday 31st January 2025, and close on Friday 28th February 2025. Eligible candidates: must be aged 18-25, must be citizens of an AP-COI member state, and must be actively engaged in community work and youth advocacy. Applicants must submit a CV, proof of their community engagement, and a three-minute video outlining their vision for youth leadership in the region. To guide all interested applicants, an information session will be hosted on Wednesday 12th February 2025. All relevant information and links will be available here via the National Assembly website, or via our official social media channels.
The National Assembly encourages all Seychellois youth to consider forming part of the PRJOI. It is more than simply a work opportunity; it is the chance to become part of a movement that aims to shape the future of the Indian Ocean region. The knowledge, experience, and networks that will be forged through this Youth Parliament will have a lasting impact on your community, and beyond. With Seychelles taking the lead in hosting this transformative initiative, the PRJIO sets the stage for a new era of youth involvement in national and regional governance.
