Mock Parliament discusses
issues Americans are facing
| DAILY TIMES (Pakistan)

LAHORE | The third annual Mock Parliament concluded its three-day session at Crescent High School on Sunday and it gave a message to teenagers to understand conflict resolution and co-existence. US Consulate Public Affair’s Officer Brinille Ellis was the chief guest on the occasion. The session was a simulation of the House of Representatives of the US Congress in which 55 local students of 19 government, semi-government and private schools participated.

The students acted as elected members of the US Congress and discussed various important issues related to America and American people. They also shared their experiences (of being Representatives of the US Congress). The Mock Parliament session was organised by a diligent team of 19 members who put their best effort into making it an informative and interactive sitting.

At the opening day of the Mock Parliament’s session 2012, the participating students elected a US president, secretary of states and an envoy to South Asia. Jahan Noor Bano of LGS Defence Phase-I was elected as the US president (to adopt the role of President Obama), Khizrah Naveed of LGS Defence Phase-1 was elected as Hilary Clinton whereas Ushna Aamir of LGS Defence Phase-V was elected Richard Holbrooke.

On day two, the students worked in two standing committees, namely Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs as well as Committee on Social and Internal Affairs. Each committee discussed the current issues that are important for the people of America and the committees were supposed to discuss those problems and deduce bills on different issues such as US foreign policy, social issues and economic policy. However, the concluding day included a debate on the proposed bills and their acceptance or rejection.

Brinille Ellis distributed certificates among the participants. During the certificate distribution ceremony, best participants were announced from each participating school. Speaking on the occasion, SoP Country Director Sajjad Ahmad said that basic goal of the event was to prepare teenagers from areas of conflict with leadership skills required to promote tolerance, coexistence and peace.

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