YOUNG people in Port Stephens never cease to amaze me with their ideas, creativity and passion.
It’s clear they want to be a voice for the future.
That’s why I’m excited Council is holding its first Youth Summit this month.
The Youth Summit is a one-day event that brings together around 50 students from local high schools to share their perspectives and collaborate on the issues that matter most to them, from public spaces and community events to the services they use every day.
We’ve worked with schools to ensure participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, not just school leaders. This new initiative ensures young voices are heard and can influence Council’s plans, strategies and programs.
For years, our Youth Advisory and Action Panel has provided an important way for young people to connect with Council.
But we’ve also heard about the difficulties that young people face when trying to attend regular meetings because of after-school commitments, transport challenges and the size of our local government area.
The Youth Summit is designed to overcome these barriers, creating an accessible, inclusive and engaging way for young people to get involved.
The event will feature interactive workshops designed by students in partnership with Council and community services, tailored to the needs and interests of young people.
At the end of the day, students will pitch their collective recommendations directly to myself and fellow Councillors, giving them a unique opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest level of local government.
Council’s proud to be delivering this Summit in partnership with Up&Up, a local organisation specialising in creative engagement programs.
Together, we want to build a model that can grow over time, helping us learn new ways to connect with young people and strengthen their involvement in community life.
This is more than a one-day event-it’s the beginning of a new chapter for youth engagement in Port Stephens.
The insights we gain will help us improve and create even better opportunities for young people to be involved in the future.
I can’t wait to hear what our young people have to say.
By Leah ANDERSON, Mayor, Port Stephens Council
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