Eighth session of youth parliament kicks off

Switzerland’s youngest ever cabinet minister has opened a special youth session of parliament in Berne. Ruth Metzler, who is in her mid-thirties, addressed the 200 participating young people between the ages of 14 and 21.

Switzerland’s youngest ever cabinet minister has opened a special youth session of parliament in Berne. The justice minister, Ruth Metzler, who is in her mid-thirties, addressed the 200 participating young people between the ages of 14 and 21, who have descended on Berne from across the country.

For the first time, young Swiss who live abroad are also taking part in the session. They have travelled from Spain, Germany, Italy and France. Communications issues will be the focus of the three-day debate.

Working groups will discuss the power of the media, including the growing influence of the Internet, racism, education, and Switzerland’s foreign relations.

This year, the session coincides with a couple of youth events. The United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef, will issue a report on Friday on the state of Switzerland’s youth. And Saturday is the International Day of Children’s Rights.

Young parliamentarians are expected to hand a petition with their demands to the “real” parliamentary speaker, Trix Heberlein, at the end of the session on Saturday.