A Sixth Form pupil from Harrogate Ladies’ College (HLC) has been voted Chair of Harrogate District Youth Council (HDYC), as well as becoming a member of the prestigious UK Youth Parliament in a recent election.
Lizzie Callinan, 17 years-old, will work towards empowering young people in her area to voice their opinions and to be heard. HDYC takes an active role in local politics meeting with MPs and local councillors, organising events, running campaigns, making speeches and holding debates.
Dr Ashcroft, Head of History and Politics at HLC said:
Youth councils are important as they empower young people across the UK to be heard and to have a voice, as well as facilitating community decision-making. I am thrilled for Lizzie.
Lizzie Callinan said:
I hope that as Chair of HDYC I will encourage more of Harrogate’s teenagers to get involved in local politics and to join in with HDYC events and campaigns.
The UK Youth Parliament also gives me the opportunity to voice the views of those who are too young to vote in general elections, yet have opinions and ideas they want to be heard. It gives me the chance to take the issues Harrogate’s youth have to the country’s leading politicians.
