CALLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE HEARD AND ‘DO DEMOCRACY’
Nominations for the Blue Mountains Youth Council are now open!
Blue Mountains City Council listens to the opinions and aspirations of young people in our community. If you are between 12 and 19 years old (turning 20 in 2018), live in the Blue Mountains and want to make a difference, why not join the Blue Mountains Youth Council.
Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill said, “The Blue Mountains Youth Council offers an excellent opportunity to interact with young people from the Blue Mountains, other schools, to have their say and get a ‘hands on’ experience of democracy, as well as advising Council on youth matters.”
The Blue Mountains Youth Council is a committee of 20 local young people who meet monthly to identify and discuss issues important to them, plan and run events, and advise the Council. Successful applicants remain members for two years when they can reapply, if they wish.
The Youth Council has young people from all kinds of backgrounds, nationalities and ages. Applicants don’t necessarily need any experience, just an interest in what’s happening around them. Nominations are open now until Monday 19 February 2018.
In 2017, the Blue Mountains Youth Council helped maintain young people’s ideas from the ‘Project NOW’ congress which included the ongoing Youth Summit radio show and the Food Forest community garden. They also attended a NSW Youth Council Conference in Ryde and participated in a movie event at Lawson Swim Centre to celebrate the end of school.
Blue Mountains Youth Councillor, Paul Mukhin said, “I joined the Blue Mountains Youth Council in early 2015. We’ve been able to have an input into Council planning that is relevant to young people, and projects that improve the lives of young people in our region.
It’s a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and to develop many skills which will serve you in later life. You can only regret not joining and being a part of the Youth Council.”
To find out more and apply, visit bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au/youthcouncil, facebook.com/bluemountainsyouthcouncil; or contact Council’s Youth Services Development Officer, Anita Kazis on akazis@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, 4780 5680 or 0431 501 545.
Photo: Calling all young people who want to be heard and ‘do democracy’! Practicing how to pitch on video at the NSW Youth Council’s Conference was one of the Blue Mountains Youth Council’s activities of 2017.
