The Hon Byran Woodside Minister of State for Lands and Local Government gives remarks at a ceremony-honouring participants of the Local Government Junior Council Pilot Project at Government House, Thursday, July 21. (BIS photo/Derek Smith)

Nassau, The Bahamas -- The mentoring of aspiring politicians through the Local Government Junior Council Pilot Project is one of the Government’s strategies to help strengthen Bahamian democracy.

During a ceremony honouring participants of the Project at Government House on July 21, Minister of State for Lands and Local Government the Hon Byran Woodside said, “The idea for the Local Government Junior Council was born out of two instances during my first visits to various Local Government Town Committees and Councils in 2008.

“First, it was apparent that there was a need for capacity building in the pool of persons offering themselves for election.

“Since the inception of the elected form of Local Government in 1996, the same persons were generally offering themselves for office with very few new candidates getting involved at the community level,” Mr Woodside said,

Students participating in the Local Government Junior Council Pilot Project were honoured at Government House, July 21. (BIS photo/Derek Smith)

The Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes and Joan Lady Foulkes hosted the ceremony for the honourees of the Project.

It provides future leaders with proven methods of establishing self-efficacy, through extending a national political connection that provides a Government that is close to the people.

“Local Government, as a component of democracy within The Bahamas, is viewed as too important for unplanned growth, Mr Woodside said.

“In our Family Islands, it assists with the economic development, improves the quality of life of our citizens and encourages residents’ in the decision-making at the community level,” he added.

Special recognition was extended to Inspector James Moss for nurturing youths who show promise in improving the future of local politics. Throughout his career in law enforcement, Inspector Moss has engaged in community and public service.

In addition, he accomplished his goal of mentoring young persons to help solve community issues.

Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes (centre) and Joan Lady Foulkes host the participants in the Local Government Junior Council Pilot Project at Government House, July 21. Also pictured at left is Minister of State in the Ministry of Lands and Local Government. (BIS photo/Derek Smith)

Mr Woodside explained that the work of Inspector Moss in the Berry Islands was one reason why the Government established the Local Government Junior Council.

“He, along with Principal Ramsey, encouraged the Berry Island Council to become fully engaged in activities to assist the development of the young people in that district,” he said.

“The synergy I witnessed on my first trip to that district compelled me to review and modify their efforts so that it could be tested for possible national implementation, hence, the birth of the Local Government Junior Council Pilot Project.”

Minister Woodside also recognized Family Island Administrator Gary Knowles and Tavarrie Smith and Sheereza Gibson for their dedication and enthusiasm from the inception of the project.

He also noted that LaShanta Fowler helped to ensure the success of the project, which has been expanded through the Ministry of Education in six schools.

Family Island Administrators in the district councils of Abaco, North Andros, Berry Island, Grand Bahama, and San Salvador depend on parental support to encourage student involvement.

They achieved the main goal of the project, which was “to build a strong cadre of young people with local government experience.”

“I am advised that the impact of the Local Government Junior Council on the lives of the participants, their fellow students and communities is immeasurable,” said Mr Woodside.

“In one district, the Prefects, Head Boy, and Head Girl for 2011/2012 school year are all Local Government Junior Councillors. While the civics component of the project may have been over ambitious, parents, siblings and communities have learnt a great deal about The Bahamas and what it means to be Bahamian”.

Central Government will use the recommendations in the various reports, made by students and coordinators, to inform the way forward, as the project is expanded in 2011 / 2012. They will develop this local government intervention to improve and enhance a government by the people of The Bahamas.