Southwark calls young people to represent their peers
Published 5 December 2011
A drive to get more young people involved in local politics will be launched by Southwark Council at the Globe Academy next month.
The council is giving 20 young people from across the borough the opportunity to become members of the Southwark Youth Council (SYC) and one member to represent Southwark in the UK Youth Parliament.
The main purpose of SYC is to represent young people in Southwark and promote their views to adult decision makers at the council. SYC members attend weekly meetings and receive regular accredited training.
Youth council members are elected to serve for a term of two years and they give young people a chance to get involved in local politics, plan and deliver the annual youth conference and actively promote the views of young people to the council.
They also play a key part in consulting with council departments and other local organisation who want to incorporate the views of young people of Southwark into their work and run events and workshops to promote and improve the quality of local services for young people in the borough.
Young people can hear how they can stand for election to the SYC at the Globe Academy between 4.30pm and 7pm on 6 December .
Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children's services said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for our young residents to represent young people in Southwark, learn new skills and show what issues are really important to them.
"It's really important that young people's opinions are considered and that they have some influence over the decisions that affect them. I look forward to developing a strong working relationship with the youth councillors and I believe that they will make a positive difference to our borough."
At the launch, prospective election candidates will have the chance to meet current SYC and local councillors, participate in a video election to create a viral ad for the election and enter a light hearted debate with Southwark councillors.
Young people aged between 13 and 19 years can apply to become a Southwark Youth Councillor. The voting process will run next year between 10 - 23 February and votes can be cast at polling stations, by text or online. Election results will be announced at the end of February.
To find out more about how to become a Southwark Youth Councillor, email youth.council@southwark.gov.uk or contact Davina Bailey on 020 7732 7917.
Ends
