Local government
Local Government
Published by Youth WeekAll councils, whether they are district, city or regional, can get involved in Youth Week. Many local government areas already play an important role in Youth Week. You can see this in the examples below.
Napier, Hasting and Hawke's Bay Councils and community work together for Youth Week
Disco for Youth with Disabilities
North Shore young people - challenge youth stereotypes
Naenae Youth Led Urban Design Upgrade
Mayors Task Force for Jobs: Youth Forum
One of the big events in Rotorua was Reprezent. This was a two day youth forum where 350 young people from all over the district came together to gain the skills training and qualifications needed to volunteer, contribute and work in the community. Young people chose from one of the following training options: first aid & CPR, coaching and refereeing, business, hospitality, life skills or entertainment. Local organisations in need of youth involvement were also involved. The purpose of the forum was to encourage young people to believe in their ability to make a difference. Funding was obtained from The Ministry of Youth Development, Council, a local trust and Rotary.
The Library got on board hosting a fashion expo highlighting the fashions and services available within Rotorua. Local businesses were also involved with stalls throughout the Library giving advice, and advertising their services, stalls ranged from gowns and suits, to hair and make-up. The pool held a Ripple EFX pool party.
Napier and Hasting work together for Youth Week
A working committee was established comprising Napier City Council, both Hastings and Napier Inner City Marketing, Hastings District Council, a representative from both Youth Councils, Directions, and Atomic Events Centre. The group met fortnightly from February and focused on developing ideas for events and activities, promoting the week and getting people involved.
Events included:
•· A Youth Health Expo organized by local health, education and social service providers to promote the services available for young people in Hawke's Bay. There were young people singing, dancing and performing on a stage throughout the expo
•· The Regional Council's Youth Environment group organised an Environmental Youth Forum day
•· Sk8 Zone youth centre in Napier provided a free entry fun day and ran competitions, demonstrations and live music
- There was a Youth Week Shop opened specifically for Youth Week where young people's art was exhibited as well as giant colourful display boards.
•· There were free music events in Hastings town center and @tomic event centre organized a sleepover with a variety of activities and games
A showcase of young Auckland talent and culture. A youth participation based project led by Auckland City Events and run in partnership with CAYAD (community action on Youth and Drugs) Auckland central. The free activities on offer included live music, dance demos, a three on three streetball competition, climbing wall, volleyball and touch, and workshops on krumping, song writing and stencilling.
Disco for Youth with Disabilities
Two hours of dancing and free giveaways, hosted by the Waitakere Youth Council. There was a parents' room with refreshments' available for those parents who wish to stay.
Jam out West
Following on from the success of a trial event Jam Out West in Youth Week 2006, 2007 saw four Jam Out West concerts scheduled starting with one in Youth Week. The events targeted 13-18 year olds and were held in Waitakere City. Jam Out West provides an opportunity for young people who cannot access licensed venues to hear bands and provides bands with performance opportunities.
One of the key people involved in Jam Out West is Richard Attwood, Events Co-ordinator at Waitakere City Council. Richard said, "Activities for youth are always an issue, especially through the winter months. Jam Out West events provide young people with a chance together and socialise in a fun and safe environment - music is a great way to connect in a healthy active way".
Check out: www.jamout.co.nz/west/
Converse youth summit
Converse youth summit started as an event in Auckland City in 2005. In 2006 it grew and was held in Auckland, North Shore, Waitakere and Manukau Cities. The 2006 theme was about the perceptions of youth crime. Due to the organisation involved it is intended that Converse become an event held every two years.
Converse is an opportunity for high school students in each city to come together to talk about issues affecting them, in an environment and format that they could relate to and where they would be listened too. A number of catalyst speakers presented in the morning. Workshops were held in the afternoon on a number of relevant topics.
In Auckland City the young people involved in Converse were able to participate in ongoing dialogue around issues affecting them. A group has gone on to meet regularly and discuss issues, organise social events and were involved with the organisation for the May 2006 event.
North Shore young people - challenge youth stereotypes
Young people from around North Shore City took time out to attend a one-day summit to talk about crime during Youth Week - Converse. Members of the Shore Youth Council and Students Against Driving Drunk held a stall at Glenfield Mall giving out youth-related information. North Shore Libraries organised LIBEL a line up of bands at ActivZone in Glenfield.
Porirua City Council coordinated a youth participation based project called Eye Define. Eye Define gave young people an opportunity to take photos of other young people involved in meaningful community activities such as sport, employment, and voluntary work. Photos were exhibited at Pataka Museum during Youth Week. Organisations with a keen interest in young people were invited to purchase the photos with profits going to the organisations that the young people were affiliated with.
Naenae Youth Led Urban Design Upgrade
Young people's chance to make Naenae town centre, in Hutt City, a better place. Dream then plan and consult with your community to develop a plan of how you would like your neighbourhood to look. Council committed $400,000 to these combined projects and made available a professional youth coordinator and urban design resources in order to achieve the desired outcomes.
Mayors Task Force for Jobs: Youth Forum in Hawera
Celia Lashlie is an entertaining and informative speaker who is passionate about youth. She came to Hawera in South Taranaki District Council to help develop a new perspective on local employment issues. There was a youth specific forum followed by a community wide forum with business and the wider community.
Whakatane District Council in collaboration with the Waiariki Maori Women's Welfare League hosted a Youth Debate at the Council Chambers, Whakatane to celebrate Youth Week. There were two debate topics one in Maori and the other in English. Translation facilities were available to the public.
RockFest
RockFest @ Sammys focused on performances by young bands in Dunedin. It was a Smoke Free, Party Drug and Alcohol Free Event. Parents were welcome. The event was also about celebrating young people and more importantly (because it is NZ Music Month) their music with 99% of the performers falling into the 12 to 24 year old age bracket.
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