Andorra Youth Parliament Advances Bills on Housing, AI, Elderly Care

Students in Andorra's 24th Consell General dels Joves completed commission debates on six bills Wednesday, advancing proposals on housing affordability, AI regulation, elderly services, digital mental health, and natural disaster preparedness ahead of the 25 March plenary.

The housing bill, led by Encamp's secondary school, aims to cap average monthly rents at €500 for real estate firms, tying adjustments to minimum-wage levels after covering essentials such as food, electricity, and water. It acknowledges variations by zone and demand, warning that tourism and foreign residents risk making the country accessible only to high earners. Non-compliant firms would redirect excess fees to families, with a second provision targeting reductions in unaffordable rentals. Implementation is targeted for 2027 following agreements with owners and government. In commissions, delegates agreed on €10 per square metre for central, well-maintained properties. Maria Garrallà from Ordino's secondary school noted that parents frequently discuss rising costs at home, stressing the need for such measures to secure futures as students near renting age. Susanna Vela, a parliamentarian overseeing proceedings, highlighted the group's recognition of housing as a right rather than a speculative asset, impacting families and vulnerable groups.

Commissions, guided by Susanna Vela, Meritxell Alcobé, Marc Magallón, Noemí Amador, Núria Segués, and others, refined the remaining bills. Encamp students proposed mandatory AI basics training in schools, teacher development, and data-protective tools. Lycée Comte de Foix delegates called for AI to comply with data laws, ensure transparency, uphold human dignity, prevent abuses like identity theft with penalties, and boost public digital literacy. Noa Lascurettes from Lycée demanded tough sanctions for harmful applications such as identity fraud, while noting AI's potential aid in schoolwork if regulated.

Lycée pupils sought parish-equitable networks of elderly residences, day centres, and home support to promote autonomy amid population ageing. Discussions broadened this to include domiciliary care and supervised housing. Ona Goicoechea from Santa Coloma's secondary school emphasised comprehensive care for grandparents.

Agora Andorra International School advocated digital wellbeing protections, mandating platforms to label filtered images, prohibit toxic recommendations to minors like extreme diets, and provide time limits with rest prompts to reduce comparison anxiety.

Col·legi Sagrada Família urged a national emergency plan featuring mandatory life insurance for disasters, evacuation protocols, neighbour agreements, and climate-aware strategies given tourist volumes. Lascurettes pointed to growing climate threats and population pressures.

Launched in 2002, the programme engages 28 pupils aged 14-16 from Andorra's schools, fostering legislative insight through education- and youth-themed commissions. AI and social media emerged as recurring themes across groups, with students balancing its educational benefits against privacy risks and mental health impacts.