Public Service Announcement

HRM Seeking Members for first Youth Advisory Committee

(Wednesday, April11/07)-- Halifax Regional Council wants to hear what really matters to the youth of HRM–and its looking to attract 12 energetic young people (ages 13-19) to provide a formal voice to municipal government as members of the first Regional Youth Advisory Committee to Mayor and Council.

The Regional Youth Advisory Committee will review, evaluate and make recommendations to Regional Council regarding issues pertaining to youth, such as recreation programs and services, facility development (indoor and outdoor), events (youth and community), youth grants, transportation, arts and culture, and emerging issues with support from Community Relations staff.

In addition to a Youth Advisory Committee, there are many opportunities for young people to become part of Youth Action Teams at the local level. Members of Youth Action Teams will work with the support of HRM Community Relations staff to make great things happen in their community-- such as organizing a special event, a community art project, hanging out or creating a new bus route in their community-- and work towards issues that are important to them.

Council adopted the Youth Governance Model in March 2007. It was developed by a group of 14 youth who continued to meet as a group following last fall’s successful youth conference, YouthFest ‘06. The conference attracted 302 young people, who took part in diverse sessions ranging from "non-leadership" leadership, to forming youth action teams, to "how to get your voice heard by HRM Councillors".

"It's exciting to see the Youth Governance Model come to life,” said Councillor Becky Kent, who has been a strong supporter of the youth effort. “The strength of the new Youth Advisory Committee will be a tremendous resource to our decision- making at Regional Council. I'm really looking forward to the outcomes, and the dialogue. It's only just the beginning of greater things to come."

Applications are due no later than Friday, April 20, 2007. Forms can be found online at www.hrmyouth.ca, at local recreation centres or by calling Darren Hirtle at 490-5451.

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Councillor Becky Kent
(902) 476-1836

Darren Hirtle
Community Developer
490-5451