Rafael Hangula Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will today officially open the First Session of the Fourth Junior National Council (JNC), bringing together 42 young Namibians representing all 14 regions to deliberate on issues affecting children and young people. Hosted by the National Council of the Parliament of Namibia, the four-day session will run from 31... The post PM to open Junior National Council today appeared first on New Era .
**Rafael Hangula **
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will today officially open the First Session of the Fourth Junior National Council (JNC), bringing together 42 young Namibians representing all 14 regions to deliberate on issues affecting children and young people.
Hosted by the National Council of the Parliament of Namibia, the four-day session will run from 31 August to 3 September 2026 at the National Council Chambers in Windhoek under the theme ‘Towards Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Namibian Child.’
The JNC is a Parliamentary youth forum established by the National Council to provide young Namibians with practical exposure to parliamentary processes, democratic participation and public debate. The initiative was inaugurated in 2017, following a motion adopted by the National Council in 2013.
It is structured to reflect Namibia’s regional representation, with three learners from each of the country’s 14 regions, bringing the total membership to 42 Junior Members. Members serve for a term of office not exceeding two (2) years and, through parliamentary-style sittings, debate issues of national importance and develop recommendations from the perspective of young Namibians.
This year’s session will place water, sanitation and hygiene at the centre of the young parliamentarians’ deliberations, while also addressing other critical issues affecting children and young people.
The first motion will urge the Government to invest in child-responsive, climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in schools and communities across Namibia. The debate will focus on ensuring access to safe water and adequate sanitation while strengthening infrastructure against climate-related risks.
The second motion will focus on eliminating gender disparities and guaranteeing equal educational opportunities, retention and academic success for both boys and girls in Namibia.
The third motion will address strengthening mental health and psychosocial support services for children and adolescents, with the junior members expected to consider measures to promote wellbeing, improve learning outcomes and strengthen resilience among young people.
The deliberations will be supported by experts and public figures, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, the University of Namibia and the mental health sector. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Phillipus Katamelo, is also scheduled to engage the junior members during the programme.
Beyond the chamber debates, the programme includes sessions on public speaking and chamber debates, leadership and emotional intelligence, nutrition and food systems, and first aid.
The initiative forms part of Parliament’s broader efforts to promote civic education and youth participation in democratic processes, giving young people an opportunity to experience parliamentary procedures and develop an understanding of representation, debate and public accountability.
****Rafael Hangula is a Communication Specialist at the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia. ***
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