Over the years, notable British prime ministers, including Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, have all made speeches from the famous House of Commons despatch box in the British Parliament. Now 16-year-old Caymanian Jak Hurlstone can add his name to that illustrious list of speakers.
Hurlstone was taking part in last week’s UK Youth Parliament, where more than 260 students crowded onto the House of Commons’ green benches to take part in debates on a variety of subjects, from climate change to creating more opportunities for young people.
Showing no sign of being intimidated by his historic surroundings, Hurlstone spoke with confidence on the importance of accommodating neurodiverse students in the education system and his own experience of moving to the UK to study his GCSEs due to his own learning needs.
“Despite the best efforts of charitable organisations and accessibility advocates, much more support and assistance is necessary in Cayman to equalise opportunities and help the growing number of students with special learning requirements, many of whom do not have the option to study abroad in the UK,” he said.
“Through policy intervention, investment and oversight, further action could be taken to help all Commonwealth students achieve their highest potential in their home countries.”
In a social media post, the Cayman Islands Government Representative to the UK Tasha Ebanks Garcia said, “It has been wonderful to have Jak Hurlstone representing the Cayman Islands today, he made a terrific speech which carried great impact. Many thanks to Jak for representing us so well and a big thank you to the UK Parliament and Mr Speaker for hosting this important event.”
Young voices heard
Since its first session in 2009, the UK Youth Parliament has been a platform for young voices to drive change and for young leaders across the UK and the overseas territories to make their voices heard.
Coinciding with the UK Youth Parliament was the UK Overseas Territories Youth Summit, which launched in 2023 with the aim of fostering dialogue, thought leadership and collaboration across the British Overseas Territories.
The Cayman Islands delegates Thea Shaye Foster, Brittany Evans and Jak Hurlstone met with Garcia Ebanks and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Deputy Director Adam Pile before joining other youth leaders at BVI House in discussing key issues such as neurodiversity and disability in education, LGBTQ+ representation, immigration and migration.
International stage
Commenting on the experience, Hurlstone, who is currently studying for his GCSE exams at Wolsey Hall Oxford, said, “I hope to have represented the Cayman Islands well by speaking on key issues surrounding and impacting our national community.”
He added, “I feel fortunate to interact with the UK’s overseas territories and to put the voices of our islands on the international stage, and hope both my words and conversations during the summit may change the Cayman Islands for the better.”
Foster, a student at the University of Westminster where she is currently studying entertainment law, shared a similar sentiment.
“Today I have been honoured to be part of the UKOTA Youth Summit to represent the Cayman Islands Government as a youth ambassador, to discuss central themes falling under diversity and inclusivity in the overseas territories,” Foster said.
“I am completely blown away by the sheer maturity, talent and passionate points made by my fellow Caribbean youth delegates.”
In line with the theme of the summit, Evans, who is currently pursuing a legal practice course at the University of Law, said, “My biggest takeaway from today was to accept each other’s differences and find ways to move forward in a way that is cohesive, inclusive to everyone’s different needs.”
Speaking about government’s involvement, Garcia Ebanks said, “It has been a privilege to support our youth in preparing for this event and to witness today’s proceedings. Their passion, dedication, and thoughtfulness in representing the Cayman Islands at the UKOTA Youth Summit has been inspiring. It has been an honour to watch them take on such a vital role in shaping our future.”
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