Around 150 young people aged 13 to 19 will take part in the conference which will focus on getting feedback from them about plans that affect their future. The conference coincides with this year’s National Youth Week (31 October – 6 November),
Councillor Meg Stroude, lead member for children and families, said: "Consulting and involving young people is vital to developing services they both need and want. Our young people have a valuable and positive contribution to make. "
Straight to the Top 2 is the second such conference organised by the Council’s Youth Development Service. At the first Straight to the Top conference in October 2003, young people’s concerns about bullying were taken on board and led to the Council’s appointment of an officer to develop an anti-bullying strategy. Views expressed on transport also led to young people’s involvement in developing the local transport plan.
This year, a morning panel session will look at the five outcomes of Every Child Matters – being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, and economic well-being – where young people will be able to ask questions and discuss issues with key decision makers. In the afternoon, local area groups will discuss how local facilities and services will meet the recommendations of the Government’s green paper "Youth Matters” – young people will have the opportunity to work alongside local councillors on some potential solutions. Throughout the day, an interactive voting system will be used to consult young people on the Children and Young People’s Plan.
"This conference is one of many ways our Youth Development Service works closely with young people to help improving the quality of their lives now and their opportunities for the future,” added Councillor Stroude. "I know young people, members of the Youth Parliament and staff all have worked hard to make the day a success.”
Notes to editors
Journalists and photographers are welcome to attend the conference. In the afternoon there will be an opportunity to photograph young people working with councillors on mapping services (large visual map), identifying barriers and finding solutions (large visual solution tree).
For more information on attending, please contact:
Christine M’Baye, Youth Development Service
Tel: 01323 747062
Email: christine.mbaye@eastsussex.gov.uk
or call mobile no. 07979 790774 on the day of the conference (3 November).
Reference:
05/708/CJ
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