Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith yesterday vowed that her party would enforce children's rights when it takes over the Government.

Speaking to Bermuda College students during a visit to the Stonington Campus yesterday, Ms Smith said the Progressive Labour Party would immediately address the issue of enforcing the United Nations' Charter for Children on the Island.

"The day after the PLP win Government, that will be the day we will truly uphold the Charter for Children in order to ensure all of Bermuda's children have a safe home life, adequate shelter, protection from alcohol and drug abuse, and mandatory divorce counselling,'' she stressed.

"My party believes we can correct these problems because we are of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' Ms Smith also encouraged the students to get involved in politics.

"Politics affects every aspect of everybody's life, including where you live, how you live, the prices of your clothes, what movies you see, and where you go to school,'' she told some 30 students gathered in the Student Hall.

"Most of you are now at the legal voting age and you should take advantage of that because it is in your own best interest.

"The right to decide who governs your country is not a right to be taken lightly. You should take it very seriously and make the decision for yourself and your future children.'' When asked by a student what activities the PLP could offer young people, Ms Smith explained that the PLP's priority was not as much with successful young people as it was with those who have fallen through the cracks.

"My party understands that every young person is vital to the country,'' she said. "The most important things are not the beaches, not the international businesses, not the hotels, but the people.

"However, the PLP is more concerned with the young people who have slipped between the cracks, so to speak, because they are rarely accounted for. They are our primary concern. They need an opportunity in order to turn themselves around in the right direction.''