Williams Lake City Council’s proposed resolution to establish a youth caucus and encourage Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) member municipalities to establish youth councils in their communities was strongly endorsed by the UBCM membership during a resolution session yesterday at the UBCM convention. An amendment calls for a youth engagement committee with purpose of connecting with local youth councils across the province to increase participation and support and help connect young elected officials.
“Over the six conventions I have attended there has been some attempt to address the engagement of youth and I am very pleased that our resolution speaks to youth participation in a formal nature and proposes increased participation of youth in the local governance level and political participation and education,” says Councillor Geoff Bourdon, who has worked closely with Williams Lake’s four Junior Councils since 2011. “Congratulations to our Williams Lake Junior Council for authoring the resolution!”
“I'm so glad that our resolution passed and I'm looking forward to seeing what other Junior Councils can achieve!” says Williams Lake Junior Councillor Monica Rawlek, who has just begun her second term.
The Williams Lake Junior Council is a group of high school students from Grades 10-12 that suggest ideas that could enhance life for youth in our city. Junior Council members are appointed by City Council and provide a youth voice to decisions made by the city. It is an opportunity to learn about and participate in the process of local government.
Each year Junior Council sets learning goals and then chooses one or more projects to work on. Junior Council receives group facilitator and leadership training, an orientation to city operations, and participates in Council committee meetings. Over the past year they have participated in International Women’s Day, judged the regional Diversity Logo contest, hosted a volunteer fair for youth, organized Pay It Forward Day, learned about logo design and created a Junior Council logo, and helped out with the City Birthday Party.
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