Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City Council are collaborating to empower and engage young people within our communities.
This collaborative effort aims to develop a new Youth Strategy for the region, and young people 16 to 25 years are invited to express their interest in being on the Youth Strategy Co-Design Panel.
The Youth Strategy will serve as a blueprint for enhancing youth involvement, services and opportunities throughout our region. By working together, we aim to create a Strategy that reflects the voices and needs of our young people.
"We believe that involving young people in decision-making processes is crucial for building a brighter future for our communities," said Moyne Shire Mayor, Cr Ian Smith.
"This collaboration with Warrnambool City Council underscores our commitment to empowering youth and ensuring their voices are heard," said Cr Smith.
"The Youth Strategy Co-Design Panel also creates and opportunity to nurture a new generation of leaders to help bring the Moyne 2040 Community Vision to fruition" he said.
Young people aged 16 to 25 are encouraged to participate in shaping the future of our region by joining the development of the new Youth Strategy. Their input will be invaluable in creating initiatives that address their unique needs and aspirations.
"We're embarking on the biggest, most comprehensive youth strategy we've ever done, and that's why it's really important that we work with our region's young people to put this strategy together, as well as to deliver it," said Warrnambool City Council Mayor Cr Ben Blain.
"We want to hear from lots of different voices to help make this the best strategy it can be. A youth strategy should be led by the young people it aims to support, and we want to work together to give them the power to mould it in the way that they think will provide the most benefit," said Cr Blain.
"I believe that our region's young people are our community's most valuable resource. The aim of this strategy is to provide more of the opportunities that they want to get involved in, but also give them the freedom to shape their own future and the future of Warrnambool and Moyne," he said.
Research conducted for the Moyne Youth Plan 2020-2022 revealed that 55% of young people want more opportunities to be involved in Council decision-making.
The research also found:
• Young people want to be heard and understood.
• Young people want their thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and experiences to influence decision-making and inspire change.
• young people want to be acknowledged as valuable citizens who are engaged and make a positive contribution to improve themselves and their community.
Panel members will participate in five independently-facilitated workshops (up to 15 hours) between June and November, and will be paid for their time and contribution.
Young people need to register their interest by 9 June at the Youth Strategy Co-Design Panel webpage: www.moyne.vic.gov.au/Our-Community/Youth/Youth-Strategy-Co-Design-Panel…;
