Young people from North Yorkshire have been speaking out about their communities to help shape future policy.
North Yorkshire youth councillor Liam Cutler joined other young people from across the country to represent the views of the county’s communities and share experiences at the 2011 British Youth Council Convention in Manchester last week.
Liam Preston, British Youth Council Chair said:
Our annual convention is really important – both to the young people who take part and to the local politicians who get to hear firsthand what matters to young people. We are always impressed by young peoples’ passion for issues that matter to them and their conviction that working together can lead to positive change in the future.
The local young representatives had the opportunity to meet politicians and give their views. They debated key issues including local transport and the call for votes at 16.
Liam Cutler speaks out at the British Youth Council convention in Manchester last week
Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for youth services said:
The youth council convention gives young people a chance to show the nation that they are more than ready and willing to play a responsible role in society and that they are passionate to help to shape their communities for the better.
The convention was made possible thanks to funding from The Co-operative’s Inspiring Young People community programme. The Co-operative has provided bursaries for 300 young people from across the UK to take part in Conventions held in Belfast, London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester.
Michael Fairclough, Head of Community and Campaigns for The Co-operative said:
Our Inspiring Young People programme is all about encouraging, engaging and recognising the positive contribution of young people. So we’re delighted to be able to support the British Youth Council’s annual convention and to enable these young people, who work so hard in their local communities, to come together at such an important event.
