The youth council is something we are informed about and encouraged to attend every year at school. It is an organisation which 'supports young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally'. The council provides a platform for young people to express and do something about their concerns as it young people are elected to represent their views and what is important to them and others. Locally, the youth council holds meetings where they have discussions and debates every Thursday in the town hall where any young person can attend to express their views or to simply just watch.
It is important for young people to have a chance to have their say on the decisions being made locally or nationally as we are the next generation of Britain that will carry on the baton hence the youth councils has rightly supported the 'Votes at 16' campaign which is urging the government to lower the official age for voting to 16. They believe it is unjust that individuals at age 16 can be the director of a company, legally be married and pay income tax but be omitted from something as important as voting. Their campaign has created a lot of noise, gathered strong supporters and maybe even rustled a few feathers but the response has been quite positive. Although the change may not happen overnight, a continuous fight for what we need is surely a way to be recognised.
After talking to a variety of students around at my own school, there has been a clearly positive response to the youth council and what they do for young people like us. Marissa, a student at Ursuline Academy Ilford, stated 'I believe that the youth council is an important way to give many young people a voice and a chance to put what they're passionate about into actions'. Another student, Hibah agrees that 'the youth council represents the opinion of the new generation and brings a new point of view into focus' and the candidate she would vote is Vanessa Madu who is standing to be a youth MP as 'she would represent my school's ideas'. Juzel, another year 11 student, agrees as she finds her campaign to support young people to transition into turning 16 and moving into a different type of healthcare something that she values.
However, not everyone may be as enthusiastic about the elections and the whole group as every year each assembly about the youth council gathers a few moans of 'they're not even doing anything' and 'I don't even see any change'. To that, I would say change starts with you and me; change does not happen with complaining. It is ridiculous to expect things to be done without any input or effort and the youth council is so beneficial for this very reason as it provides a space for young people to reap the fruit of their efforts and make change happen.
By Rajeshwari Pittala.
