Sixty-four young Bahamians participating in the 2026 National Youth Parliament have contributed their perspectives on the country’s long-term development priorities, with plans underway for continued engagement between the youth representatives and the National Development Plan (NDP) Secretariat.
The engagement formed part of National Youth Month activities through a partnership between the NDP Secretariat and the Division of Youth, providing an opportunity for young people to examine national development planning and consider their role in shaping the future of The Bahamas.
During the October 16 parliamentary sitting, youth representatives debated a resolution concerning the proposed National Development Planning Institute, an institution intended to support long-term national planning, subject to the required legislative process.
Their contributions addressed a broad range of national priorities, including the introduction of financial literacy into education, artificial intelligence and its role in national development, and greater representation of young people in national decision-making. Youth parliamentarians also emphasized the importance of ensuring that national development planning addresses the needs of the Family Islands and is not overly Nassau-centric. They called for greater involvement of Bahamian professionals, academics, scientists and innovators, both locally and throughout the diaspora.
A recurring concern among youth parliamentarians was the need for meaningful representation in national development institutions, including opportunities for young people to serve on the proposed Planning Institute’s Board and participate in decisions affecting their future. The Bahamas National Youth Policy reports that 83% of young people surveyed in the 2024 National Youth Survey did not feel included when policies and laws were being made (p. 73).
Director of the Division of Youth, Sandena Neely, emphasized the importance of moving beyond symbolic representation. “For so many years, young people said they wanted a seat at the table. And so this is now not just a seat at the table, but this is having an actual part in the decision-making processes,” Neely said. The NDP Secretariat supported the parliamentary engagement through a preparatory briefing for youth
representatives, helping participants better understand the National Development Plan and the proposed institutional framework. Executive Director of the NDP Secretariat, H.E. Joseph R. Curry, attended the sitting and commended the participants for the depth of their contributions.
“The Secretariat was pleased to partner with the Division of Youth during National Youth Month. The 64 young parliamentarians raised important questions about governance, opportunity and the future of our country. We look forward to continued consultations to ensure their perspectives are considered as national development planning progresses,” Curry said.
At the conclusion of the House of Assembly sitting, Ambassador Curry addressed the youth parliamentarians and gave assurances that the National Youth Advisory Council would be included in consultations on all aspects of the National Development Plan, providing opportunities for young people to contribute their views and recommendations.
Several young parliamentarians also spoke about the importance of planning beyond immediate national concerns. Youth Parliamentarian Reno David Kelly expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of a country planning for future generations.
“That’s what excites me the most because there will be a plan for the future,” Kelly said.
Youth Ceremonial Governor-General Lana Bethel similarly called for greater opportunities for young Bahamians to exercise leadership.
“We must push our youth and we must encourage them and we must allow them to lead from the ground up,” she said.
Following the parliamentary sitting, representatives of the National Youth Advisory Council expressed interest in further engagement with the Secretariat. Discussions are underway concerning a consultation session with the youth parliamentarians, whose two-year term provides an opportunity for continued dialogue on national development priorities.
The National Development Plan, Vision 2040, provides a long-term framework for The Bahamas across four pillars: Governance, Human Capital, Environment and Economy.
Through its public engagement initiative, Bahamas Forward, the NDP Secretariat is working to make national planning more accessible, encourage participation and communicate progress.
