Victoria City Council unanimously adopted a strategy designed to get more youth involved in local government. The three-year Youth Strategy, written by a team of 10 youth between the ages of 12 and 25, includes practical and creative initiatives that will help the City strengthen its relationship with youth and involve them in City activities.
Youth aged 12 – 24 make up over 15 percent of Victoria’s population yet are underrepresented in the City’s planning processes. This strategy is intended to give young people a voice in local government and be part of planning the future of their community.
“A lot can be gained by having youth involved in the City,” said Sol Lindsay, youth team member (aged 18). “Not only can youth provide a unique perspective on city issues, but involvement in the city can build a relationship with government that is fundamental for the future. This strategy will help the City design programs and processes to get young people involved, and it will connect the city with the generations of the future.”
The strategy includes more than a dozen ways for the City to involve youth in their municipal government such as:
• developing a learning tool in partnership with the school district so children and youth are learning about the City in classrooms
• opening a youth hub as a safe space for youth to hang out and find out about programs and services
• creating a channel for direct two-way dialogue between City Council and youth
• getting more youth working at the City through mentorship and co-op programs
“It’s really important to get youth involved in planning the future of the city,” said Councillor Jeremy Loveday. “We are making decisions today that will shape the community for a long time to come. Youth deserve to have a say in what their city will look like. I’m pleased we have a roadmap that will help us to support youth to get more involved.”
The City will begin implementing the strategy immediately.
Read the full youth strategy at http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/youth.html.
Youth Strategy excerpt: “The Youth Strategy is a painting made with the brushstrokes from local youth from all walks of life, adults who work closely with youth, City staff, Council and us. It is the result of our best efforts to build a better city for all youth in Victoria.”