Claire Anholt, of the Royal Commonwealth Society, foreground, at the Guernsey Youth Centre yesterday with, left to right, Lucy Le Page, Sophie Donaldson and Christina Ingrouille, all 17. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0862121)

YOUNG people in Guernsey will be part of the first Commonwealth Youth Summit next year.

About 80 students from Years 11 and 12 will take part in the two-day event in February.

They will be asked to play the role of prime ministers, presidents and foreign ministers of Commonwealth countries and discuss issues such as health, education and poverty.

Youth Forum vice-chairwoman Sophie Donaldson, 17, said it was a great opportunity for the island.

‘It is very important for young people to get involved with these kind of issues,’ she said.

‘It will also give people a chance to learn about the Commonwealth and the issues each country faces.’

Four summits are being held around the country next year. About 15 young people from each region will then be chosen to attend a national summit next summer, where they will put their questions to Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma.