One hundred young people had a unique opportunity to speak directly with four of Manitoba’s leaders and to pose questions on youth issues at a town hall session with Premier Greg Selinger and provincial cabinet ministers.
“As is often said, the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. We have a responsibility to help prepare them for that and this town hall is one way we can do it,” said Selinger. “I have to say this opportunity goes both ways. While youth are learning about current issues, we get the chance to listen to them and learn directly about their concerns and what’s important in their lives.”
The students spent most of the morning in groups of 20 brainstorming issues of importance to them as well as to wider society. They developed and discussed the questions they wanted to pose to the ministers. In the afternoon, following the premier’s address, each group had approximately 20 minutes with each of the ministers to ask their questions and discuss the issues.
Each of the sessions was facilitated by members of the MB4Youth advisory council. The council was created to help ensure that youth have a say in decisions that affect them by providing input to the minister of healthy living, youth and seniors. It is made up of 15 members between the ages of 15 and 24, who were chosen based on their participation in their communities.
“This is one of a range of activities the province facilitates to encourage young people to get involved in their communities. Others include youth leadership scholarships, a youth citizenship conference and summer employment programs that foster community development projects,” said Selinger. “We hope the students involved in this town hall will go back to their communities and discuss these topics further with their peers and their families.”
The annual event is open to high schools across the province. Schools interested in participating identify students in grade 10, 11 or 12 to attend.
The Manitoba Youth Town Hall Meetings with Ministers are a result of feedback from the Premier’s Youth Round Table, held at Rural Forum 2000. Since then, the town hall meetings have been held in Brandon, Thompson and Winnipeg.
