By David McDougall
Compared with the turnout of only one person at a forum set up for the young people of Somerset Ward last month, the recent Mayor’s Youth Symposium was a definite success. Ottawa youth showed that they do have an interest in their role in city politics by coming out and participating in the City Hall event.
“We have a vision that youth should have a place at the table,” said Adam Wilson, chair for the Ottawa Youth Cabinet which organized the day-long event.
About 80 students from 55 high schools across the city and youth organizations gathered to discuss a wide range of issues from what role the city should play in sex education to whether more public recreation should be available to kids.
Wilson said it was unfortunate the previous Somerset forum didn’t generate much interest.
“We’ve all realized the amount of work that’s required to put on a forum of that nature, and one thing that we now believe is that it’s easier to ascertain the thoughts of all youth by doing it at the city level.”
Though a member of the youth cabinet put on the Somerset forum, Wilson thinks that the group is likely moving towards a more city-wide focus.
“We don’t have time, as volunteers, to really put in the commitment needed to do it on an individual ward-by-ward basis. So I think that in the long term we’re going to look at doing events like (the Symposium),” said Wilson.
In the meantime, Somerset Ward Coun. Elisabeth Arnold says that one or two more local consultations will hopefully be held before the term ends, but that the city plans on using different techniques.
“We’re looking at going into the schools, meeting youth in those locations,” she says. “That’s probably the key.”
Arnold says that the Mayor’s Youth Symposium was better suited to stir up interest because it had more resources and city staff available than the previous smaller, local meeting. She says there are still ward-specific issues that she and the Somerset member of Youth Cabinet, Nathan Hauch, want to talk to youth about.
“We’re not giving up,” she says.
Wilson says they got students interested in the Symposium with letters to the schools, and by letting them know that their opinions would have an effect on policy.
Youth Cabinet members plan to compile a report of everything discussed to present to the mayor and city council.
“Student opinion is valid and it is needed,” says Mark Devooght, who was at the Symposium as a member of the Ontario Secondary School Students Association.
“The conclusions that are met at these forums are heard, so they do have an impact.”
Amanda Mullins, a student from St. Mark’s High School, agrees.
“People have to come out to these things. They have to get involved, instead of just sitting back and saying ‘this is right, this is wrong,’” she says. “So I think this is a good place to start.”