Empowering Young People
Just three of the many events and competitions organised by Mid Beds District Council for young people during this year’s Local Democracy Week, which runs from 16–20 October.
This is Mid Beds 4th Year of running Local Democracy Week events to encourage more young people to get involved in the future of their town or village and to increase their understanding of local council services and other local initiatives.
One popular event, repeated this year is Political Speed Dating on Thursday 18 October. The event aims to break down the barriers between young people and the councillors and council officers. This year over 20 young people from Upper schools across the district, will get the chance to political speed date for two minutes at a time with local politicians, Mid Beds staff and our special guest, Steve Lowe, Editor of Beds on Sunday and previously a Councillor himself and ask any questions they like.
Other events and competitions during the week are:
Mon 15 Oct
Local Democracy Day
We will be visiting 2 Middle and Upper schools in Mid Beds to encourage young people to Take Part, Take Power! There will be interactive workshops providing the students with an insight into local democracy and politics.
Tues 16 October
Local Democracy School Challenge
The one-day event will be broken down into fun interactive sessions based on local democracy and politics. Middle schools will have the opportunity to enter teams and take part in the challenges.
Which school will be crowned the Mid Beds Local Democracy Challenge Champion?
Weds 17 October – Meet the Leader
This event will be open to Upper School/Youth Groups/Community College pupils, who will meet Tricia Turner (Leader of Mid Beds District Council) and gain an insight of how Local Democracy works and get to ask her questions on issues that matter most to them.
Design Ur Own Future! 8-19 yr olds
This workshop follows on from the Meet the Leader. It is intended to involve the young people and invite them to help to shape the future of their local area. The workshop will be to consider the refreshed community plan and to give the young people the opportunity to be fully consulted and engage in the decision-making process.
Thurs 18 Oct - Political Speed Dating Event
Young people from Upper schools across the district, will get the chance to political speed date for two minutes at a time with local politicians, Mid Beds staff and special guest, Steve Lowe and can ask anything they like.
Thurs 18 Oct - So you think you can do it better! 14-19yrs
This too is a follow on from the Political Speed Dating Event. The aim of the event is to help young people develop their strategic management skills through live interaction with real people in a real environment based on the LGC Challenge Day.
Fri 19 Oct - Take your Councillor to School day – middle/upper school
This event is a national initiative and is designed to give Councillors the chance to experience school life and engage with young people. The event also provides the young people the opportunity to understand the role of the Councillor in more detail.
Youth Conference Action
This event, aimed at Upper School students includes four workshops and takes place at the Park Inn, Bedford.
It has been organised by the Members of Youth Parliament and supported by all the Bedfordshire councils.
And…throughout the week…
Its Up 2 U - This competition gives the middle school pupils of Mid Beds the opportunity to express their views on what matters most to them. Entries can be in any format (letter, poem, art, poster etc)
Take Part, Take Power– Open to upper school and community college students How would you like to see young people involved in local decisions concerning them. Entries can be in any format (letter, poem, art, poster etc).
Katy Henman, Mid Beds Youth Participation officer said: “Local Democracy Week aims to be a full and fun week of activities and events which will take place across Mid Beds at a number of venues. We want as many young people as possible take up these opportunities to learn more about how Mid Beds fits into their lives and what they can do to influence us and have their say in their future.”
The Local Democracy Campaign (Take Part, Take Power) 2007 aims to:
· Make Councils more relevant and useful to young people
· Make Local Democracy Week bigger and better than before
· Increase Councillor involvement
· Get Councils to devolve power, wherever appropriate, to local people
The Mid Beds Local Democracy Week was put together after consulting with children, young people, schools, and Councillors of Mid Beds.
Resources can also be given to schools, youth groups, youth clubs and Local Authorities should they wish to host their own local democracy events.
For more information on this year’s Local Democracy Week please call
Katy Henman (Youth Participation Officer) on: 01462 611008
Email: katy.henman@midbeds.gov.uk
Mobile: 07787 920217
