This panel looks at the role young people can play in local democracy and local councils. It explores the existing approaches local governments use to engage with youth as well looking at the future - such as the growing potential of the internet.

Are local governments' current attempts to engage, consult and hear from young people working? As young people today, how would you like your voices to be heard and what's the best way of going about this? What's important to you? What do you see as the role of local government in your lives and futures?

Jump into this forum and start a conversation with:

Matt Barker (International Centre for Excellence in Local e-Democracy, UK)

ICELE is a virtual Centre of Excellence, providing a focal point for advising and supporting local authorities and communities, to enhance participation in all parts of the democratic process. Local Authorities, community groups and citizens can use the Centre's world leading online resources to help strengthen neighbourhoods and advance active citizenship.  

Matthew Barker graduated in the field of Business Management in 2007 and has been working in local government for nearly 3 years.  At ICELE Matthew is involved in local, regional and national projects on eDemocracy and eParticipation. This includes setting up websites with community groups including youth and faith groups and helping elected members set up their own weblogs. He also manages the web and communication side of ICELE.   <!-- D(["mb","\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eMatthew enjoys many sports and likes \nto go visit the gym regularly.  Other interests include his love \nof travel and food.  He hopes to travel to Australia and New Zealand \nvery soon. \u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichelle Blanchard\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eMichelle works as a Research Officer \nfor the Inspire Foundation. She also holds a joint appointment as a \nPhD Candidate at ORYGEN Youth Health, researching how to build the capacity \nof professionals who work with young people to utilise technology in \ntheir practice. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from the \nUniversity of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health \nand Welfare. Previously, Michelle was employed as a Research Assistant; \na Project Officer for the Victorian Government\u0026#39;s website for young people; \nand as a Youth Participation Officer on the Fitzroy, Collingwood and \nRichmond Housing Estates. She was also a volunteer Co-director of the \nDistrict 9800 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) from 2004-2006, managing \na team of 24 young people to deliver a 7-day residential program for \nup to 70 of their peers each year.  When she\u0026#39;s not working, you \ncan find her watching The West Wing, trying (in vain!) to construct \nfurniture bought at Ikea and eating breakfast on Brunswick Street.\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCouncillor David Wilson (City of \nMelbourne)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eCr Wilson has a rich background in social \nsciences, having lectured in that area since 1981. He has performed \ndrug and alcohol counselling work at Odyssey House and Melbourne Assessment \nPrison, and was involved in youth work in the 1970s and 1980s in St \nKilda and Broadmeadows. Cr Wilson is Chair of the Community Services \nCommittee.  He has a passion for helping diverse groups work together \nto make Melbourne a great place to work, live, play and study, and was \nimmediate past president of the residents\u0026#39; group, Residents 3000. \nHe is also committed to recognising the relational impact of all decision \nmaking and in his time at Council will always ask: \u0026quot;What are the impacts \nof Council decisions on people\u0026#39;s relationships within the community?\u0026quot;",1] ); //-->

Matthew enjoys many sports and likes to go visit the gym regularly.  Other interests include his love of travel and food.  He hopes to travel to Australia and New Zealand very soon.

Michelle Blanchard

Michelle works as a Research Officer for the Inspire Foundation. She also holds a joint appointment as a PhD Candidate at ORYGEN Youth Health, researching how to build the capacity of professionals who work with young people to utilise technology in their practice. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Welfare. Previously, Michelle was employed as a Research Assistant; a Project Officer for the Victorian Government's website for young people; and as a Youth Participation Officer on the Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond Housing Estates. She was also a volunteer Co-director of the District 9800 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) from 2004-2006, managing a team of 24 young people to deliver a 7-day residential program for up to 70 of their peers each year.  When she's not working, you can find her watching The West Wing, trying (in vain!) to construct furniture bought at Ikea and eating breakfast on Brunswick Street.

Councillor David Wilson (City of Melbourne)

Cr Wilson has a rich background in social sciences, having lectured in that area since 1981. He has performed drug and alcohol counselling work at Odyssey House and Melbourne Assessment Prison, and was involved in youth work in the 1970s and 1980s in St Kilda and Broadmeadows. Cr Wilson is Chair of the Community Services Committee.  He has a passion for helping diverse groups work together to make Melbourne a great place to work, live, play and study, and was immediate past president of the residents' group, Residents 3000. He is also committed to recognising the relational impact of all decision making and in his time at Council will always ask: "What are the impacts of Council decisions on people's relationships within the community?"<!-- D(["mb","\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReynato Reodica\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eReynato Reodica has experienced various \nyouth participation mechanisms at local, regional, state and national \nlevels over the past nine years. This includes eight years as part of \nhis local government\u0026#39;s youth advisory committee, working with this group \nto advance issues of concern to young people in his local area. He has \nalso conducted projects with other young people in Western Sydney to \nprovide a resource to assist young people make change with their local \ngovernment. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eNow 24 years of age, Reynato is the first \nyoung person (under 25) to hold the position of Executive Officer of \nthe Youth Action and Policy\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eAssociation - the peak non-government \n/ community group working in the\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003einterests of young people and youth services \nin NSW.\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRoger Holdsworth\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eRoger Holdsworth is a Senior Research \nAssociate at the Australian Youth Research Centre. Moving between editor \nand publisher of Connect to being a presenter of the Global Village, \nRoger is particularly interested in the development of programs to support \nactive youth and student participation. He was also a secondary teacher \nfor many years, has extensive experience in the community youth affairs \nsector.  \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRyan Foster (Visible Ink, Brisbane \nCity Council)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eVisible Ink Valley supports and resources \npeople between 12-26 yrs of age to grow their own creative, cultural, \nenvironmental, social and business ideas. Visible Ink is a Brisbane \nCity Council initiative nurturing a vibrant, creative hub of young people \ncontributing to an amazing Brisbane.\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eElle Morgan-Thomas\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eElle is 19, lives in Newtown and is studying \nEconomic and Social Sciences at Sydney University.  Since 2004 \nshe has been involved in youth leadership and entrepreneurship, particularly \nwithin rural contexts. She was Public Liaison Officer for the Bathurst \nRegional Youth Council 2004/2005 and in 2005 advised the Newcastle Council \non the possible development of Newcastle Youth Council. Elle is also \na volunteer with the Foundation for Young Australians. ",1] ); //-->

Reynato Reodica

Reynato Reodica has experienced various youth participation mechanisms at local, regional, state and national levels over the past nine years. This includes eight years as part of his local government's youth advisory committee, working with this group to advance issues of concern to young people in his local area. He has also conducted projects with other young people in Western Sydney to provide a resource to assist young people make change with their local government. 

Now 24 years of age, Reynato is the first young person (under 25) to hold the position of Executive Officer of the Youth Action and Policy Association - the peak non-government/community group working in the interests of young people and youth services in NSW.

Roger Holdsworth

Roger Holdsworth is a Senior Research Associate at the Australian Youth Research Centre. Moving between editor and publisher of Connect to being a presenter of the Global Village, Roger is particularly interested in the development of programs to support active youth and student participation. He was also a secondary teacher for many years, has extensive experience in the community youth affairs sector.  

Ryan Foster (Visible Ink, Brisbane City Council)

Visible Ink Valley supports and resources people between 12-26 yrs of age to grow their own creative, cultural, environmental, social and business ideas. Visible Ink is a Brisbane City Council initiative nurturing a vibrant, creative hub of young people contributing to an amazing Brisbane. Ryan is the Coordinator of Visible Ink and manages the development of the space including budgeting, planning, evaluation and management. He also looks after the Inkubator program that supports young peoples access to office space to run their own enterprises.

Ryan is pictured here with Visible Ink's Cultural Programs Officer, Kerry, and Youth Support Worker and Administrator, Tina.

Elle Morgan-Thomas

Elle is 19, lives in Newtown and is studying Economic and Social Sciences at Sydney University.  Since 2004 she has been involved in youth leadership and entrepreneurship, particularly within rural contexts. She was Public Liaison Officer for the Bathurst Regional Youth Council 2004/2005 and in 2005 advised the Newcastle Council on the possible development of Newcastle Youth Council. Elle is also a volunteer with the Foundation for Young Australians. <!-- D(["mb","\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAmy Coetzee\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eAmy Coetzee, aged 18, was born and raised \nin South Africa and currently lives in Perth. Amy has been chosen to \nrepresent Australia at the 2008 Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington \nD.C and New York in June, joining 360 students from over 100 countries \naround the world. She is currently seeking sponsorship for her trip \nand looks forward to the opportunity to participate in a global summit, \nas well as engage with some of the world\u0026#39;s top leaders, diplomats, \nacademics and politicians. Amy is a passionate member of the United \nNations Youth Association (WA), the Oaktree Foundation and the Melville \nYouth Advisory Council. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003ePanel discussion will be guided and moderated \nby a chairperson. Once you have logged-on to the forums you will notice \nthe Chair\u0026#39;s opening comments. The chairperson for your forum will \nbe Gabe Watts. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChair: Gabriel Watts\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eGabe Watts lives in Wollongong NSW, where \nthe local council has just been forced into administration. He recently \nwrote a thesis on youth community legal education and is currently developing \nsome new media legal education resources with the Law and Justice Foundation \nof NSW and the University of Wollongong. Gabe sat on the National Youth \nRoundtable in 2007.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSome things to keep in mind:\u003c/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eThe e-Festival concept ultimately aims \nnot only to widen the berth of ideas and information available to young \npeople, but to motivate and empower youth to create and develop new \nideas of their own. Therefore the e-Festival of Ideas encourages discussion \nnot only between panellists, but between panellists and young people \non the website. Young people have the opportunity to pose questions \nand to answer them, in the same way panellists do.  \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/font\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"2\"\u003eWhile there will be a chairperson guiding \ndiscussion, we ask that you have some questions or discussion topics \nin mind. One of the best features of an online forum is that we can \nhave many conversations at once. Please feel free to make the most of \nthis - start a new thread and initiate a conversation! ",1] ); //-->

Amy Coetzee

Amy Coetzee, aged 18, was born and raised in South Africa and currently lives in Perth. Amy has been chosen to represent Australia at the 2008 Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C and New York in June, joining 360 students from over 100 countries around the world. She is currently seeking sponsorship for her trip and looks forward to the opportunity to participate in a global summit, as well as engage with some of the world's top leaders, diplomats, academics and politicians. Amy is a passionate member of the United Nations Youth Association (WA), the Oaktree Foundation and the Melville Youth Advisory Council. 

Chair: Gabriel Watts

Gabe Watts lives in Wollongong NSW, where the local council has just been forced into administration. He recently wrote a thesis on youth community legal education and is currently developing some new media legal education resources with the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW and the University of Wollongong. Gabe sat on the National Youth Roundtable in 2007.

Extra reading:

“Civic Engagement and Young People”
A report commissioned by the City of Melbourne (November 2007)
www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/yrc/documents/rr_pdf/RR28.pdf

Panel Partner: