Voices of youth speak

By Tania Martin
STUDENTS across the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley last week stood up at a youth summit to voice their opinions on issues that are important to them.
Minister for Youth Affairs James Merlino launched the summit, which was hosted by the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Mr Merlino said it was fantastic to see young people having their say on issues that affect them.
The summit was not only a chance for young people to have their say on important issues but a fun way to finish National Youth Week.
A motivational speaker, hip hop dancers, comedians and fun and games were all part of the day.
Mr Merlino says National Youth Week is about empowering young people and he congratulated everyone involved in the summit for their passion and commitment in making the shire a better place for young people.
“Having young people involved in events such as this and helping set the agenda on the issues that matter to them is such a powerful and positive way to develop important life skills,” he said.
The key outcome of the summit is to develop a youth charter that will form part of the council’s youth policy and action plan.
Mayor Tim Heenan says the youth summit was an important part of bringing local young voices into the development of the charter.
“The charter will be a very important public statement expressing how the council and community services can work together in partnership to connect with and value young people in the shire,” he said.
Shire youth services executive officer Martin Elder says the charter won’t just be used by the youth services team but would be used across all units in the council.
“It is intended to be the key short-hand reference developed by local young people on how to involve them in council policy, events and actions which have an impact on them,” he said.