The 18th Youth Parliament, held on Monday the 10th of March 2025, brought together 25 of Cayman’s brightest young minds for a day of debate, discussion, and democratic engagement. Hosted by the Parliament of the Cayman Islands in collaboration with the Youth Parliament Organising Committee, this annual event gives students the opportunity to step into the shoes of lawmakers, present motions, and advocate for policies that reflect their generation’s priorities. 

Among those in attendance were TCCP candidates Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Heather Bodden, Natasha WhiteLocke, Osbourne Bodden, and Sabrina Turner, who showed their support for these young leaders and reaffirmed their commitment to empowering the next generation. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, as Chair of the Youth Parliament Organising Committee, has been instrumental in guiding and supporting this initiative, reinforcing TCCP’s commitment to youth engagement. 

Over the past five months, these students have been preparing for this moment—learning Parliamentary roles, procedures, and best practices from seasoned leaders. Their commitment to understanding governance and shaping Cayman’s future is nothing short of inspiring. 

This year’s debate focused on two pressing issues: 

  1.  A Multi-Faceted Approach to Reducing the Cost of Living and Ensuring Economic Relief for Caymanians 
  1. Implementation of a Sex Offender Registry and Enhanced Victim Protection Measures 

Both motions were developed entirely by the students themselves, demonstrating their passion for addressing real challenges in our community. Throughout their journey, they received guidance from Members of Parliament and Civil Service leaders, including TCCP Leader Andre Ebanks. 

TCCP is committed to ensuring that young people don’t just have a voice for one day a year—but every single day. That’s why we established the TCCP Youth Council, a permanent platform for young Caymanians aged 16 to 30 to contribute to national conversations and policy development. With Leanni Tibbetts as the inaugural chair, the TCCP Youth Council gives young people a seat at the table—not just to be heard, but to actively shape the decisions that impact their future. The Youth Council will engage in leadership training, advocacy, and direct participation in policy discussions. 

Young Caymanians have made it clear- they want a future where their voices are heard, and their concerns are taken seriously. The TCCP Youth Council is here to make that happen. If you’re passionate about shaping Cayman’s future, you can sign up, volunteer or become constituency representatives to help shape Cayman’s future via the TCCP website at www.votetccp.ky or via email youthcouncil@votetccp.ky