The Editor, Sir:

Please help me to understand the locus standi of the National Debates Commission. Who constitutes this organisation and what is its real mandate and vision for the country's development?

We are all aware of the current national debates that they have organised, in association with the Media Association of Jamaica and other similar entities. I still have two questions:

Whereas all the data show that youth make up the largest segment of the Jamaican population and the Jamaican electorate; whereas all the parties represented in the last Parliament have affiliate youth organisations, why then has the National Debates Commission not included in its debate series a platform for the youth representatives of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP)?

As a voter born in 1984, I consider this oversight a very big DIS! If indeed, it is an oversight, it can be easily corrected.

'Be-seen-and-not-be-heard' mantra

I am recommending that in the week following the first round of debates, that the commission give similar prominence to one additional debate that will have the JLP's Generation 2000 and the PNP's Patriots present - on their party's behalf - the set of actions and visions for the youths of Jamaica.

My generation is tired of this automatic ageism that permeates our society. Jamaica depends on us to win its medals, sing its songs, and dance to its rhythms, yet in so many other areas, denies us our voices. This ongoing 'be-seen-and-not-be-heard' mantra may just be the real reason for the apathy and scepticism that is picked up in poll after poll. Maybe we are not excited by the process because we are not invited to participate in the process.

Oh forgive me, 'Vote and shut your mouth young man, that's enough participation for you!'

Nonsense, my name is on the voters' list and I will cast my vote for the party that comes out first and supports my request to have youth leaders in the parties debate our issues.

See our generation

All the speakers who have been selected to speak by the parties are over the age of 55. There are grandparents and great-grandparents who are younger than 55 years. We, the youths of Jamaica, need an opportunity to see our generation show its political mettle.

My second question is, what is the average age (mean, mode or median) of the members of the National Debates Commission? My guess is that you too are all above 55 years.

Give us our voices or we might withhold our votes.

I am, etc.,

KORY HAMILTON

kory_hamilton@yahoo.co.uk

Walderston P.O.

Manchester

Via Go-Jamaica