Monday 13th - Friday 17th October 2008
Children and young people from across Telford and Wrekin are being
urged to 'Take Part: Take Power' as part of a national initiative
next week.
Local Democracy Week 2008, which runs from 13-17 October, aims to
get young people thinking about local issues while getting involved
with local democracy and decision making.
Telford & Wrekin Council takes part in Local Democracy Week
each year, encouraging young people in schools, colleges, youth
groups and other settings to get involved in events aimed at giving
children and young people an insight into the working of the
council.
The Children and Young People's Active Involvement Service
and Legal and Democratic Services are organising three main events,
building on last year's successful format.
The first event is a Democracy Dinner on Tuesday 14th October.
Forty young people from groups such as young carers, disabled young
people and children in care will work with 20 decision makers
including the cabinet member for Children & Young People , the
council's chief executive, corporate directors and senior council
officers and partner representatives, in a range of activities.
Through discussions, a democracy quiz and one to one dialogue, the
young people, aged from nine to 18, will have a chance to spend
time with decision makers and to have their voices heard, as well
as enjoying a buffet dinner.
On Thursday, 16th October, the authority stages its fourth Children
and Young People's 'Question Time' event at The Place@Oakengates.
Students from the borough's secondary schools and other groups of
young people will take part in a following a similar format to
BBC's "Question Time". Those invited have been asked to submit
questions which they will debate with a panel of councillors,
council officers and young people. Eric Smith from BBC Radio
Shropshire will compere the event.
On Friday 17th October, students from Year 9 will visit the
Council's main Civic Offices to take part in interactive workshops
exploring concepts of local and national democracy in a fun and
participatory way.
Councillor Stephen Burrell, cabinet member for Children &
Young People, said: "Local Democracy Week is a fantastic
opportunity to engage young people and show them how local
democracy works, how they can influence policy and how it can make
a real difference to their lives.
"The initiative not only benefits the young people involved but
allows officers and councillors to hear direct the concerns of
children and young people so we can better respond to their
needs.
"Later on, a young person and their friend will be shadowing me
for a day in my role as cabinet member for Children & Young
People.
"Through all these activities, I look forward to helping bridge
the gap with the younger generation and to getting some new ideas
from them to put into
action." |