. Matibini

By CHARITY MOONGA –
SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini says it is important to educate youths in the country about democracy for them to actively participate in Zambia’s democratic processes.
Dr Matibini, who is president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Zambia national group, was speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Democracy at Parliament yesterday.
He said the activities to commemorate the International Day of Democracy had been designed with the intention of educating youths about democracy and how to actively participate in the democratic process.
Dr Matibini said the activities to celebrate International Day of Democracy had also been designed to assist the youths of the country to engage members of parliament and the institution of parliament to participate in the country’s democracy.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Democracy was ‘Youth Involvement in Democracy’.
Dr Matibini said the National Assembly of Zambia had put in place activities that were focused on the youth in accordance with this year’s theme.
He urged participants of the commem oration to take advantage of the occasion to learn how to participate actively in the country’s democratic governance system.
Earlier, Clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwinga said the national assembly was committed to creating a forum for the Zambian youths to give their views on the opportunities that democracy had presented for youth empowerment in various sectors over the fifty years of Zambia’s independence.
The International Day of Democracy was first coined on November 8, 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly which unanimously adopted the resolution 62/7 declaring September 15 as the International Day of Democracy.
The day has been celebrated from 2007 every year to raise public awareness about democracy.
The National Assembly of Zambia, however, commemorated this year’s International Day of Democracy yesterday because of other commitments it had on the parliamentary calendar.