Agenda item

            The Committee was advised that European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) was an annual event held each October, the overarching purpose of which was to promote a better involvement of citizens in public life, enhance transparency of local government mechanisms and improved social cohesion, in particular among young people and disadvantaged groups.  The ELDW built on Local Democracy Week in which the Council had been involved in previous years by organising and hosting events involving young people from across the city.  In 2012 and 2013, the Council had organised and delivered EurVoice events which allowed pupils from Secondary Schools, Members of the Council’s Youth Forum, representatives of the European Youth Parliament and participants from Community Groups in the City to interact with their local Councillors who undertook the role of Youth Champion within their party.  The events have proven to be very successful and feedback from the Schools, Community Groups and from the Councillors after the events was very positive.  Participants had felt that last year’s event had been an enjoyable and a diverse way for them all to meet on a one-to-one basis and get a sense of and discuss through many mutually important and relevant issues.

            The Committee was informed that EurVoice was a unique community outreach programme designed to engage and empower young people, including those from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds.  The purpose of EurVoice was to provide a platform and framework to allow young people to take ownership of their own opinions, a place in society, to express their views to people in authority and to discover their own importance in shaping the future.  The nature of the event served to influence the role young people could potentially have in local democracy decision-making.  EurVoice was a sister programme to the European Youth Parliament debating event which brought young people together on a national and international level.

            The Democratic Services Manager pointed out that a project steering group had been set-up to organise the event and comprised officers from Community Services, Democratic Services, Corporate Communications and the European Unit as well as external organisations which included the European Commission Office of Northern Ireland and the European Youth Parliament.  Following the success of EurVoice 2012 and 2013, it was felt that it would be worth organising an even more engaging event where both young people and Councillors could meet to discuss the relevant issues which faced young citizens of Belfast and to build on the themes which had been discussed at the previous event.  In addition to the participants who had attended in 2013, invitations would also be extended to young people in the wider community.

            The EurVoice event would take place in the Great Hall on Tuesday, 14th October, 2014 from 12.00 noon until 4.00 p.m. and would target Belfast schools and youth organisations.  A series of activities were planned, including:

·        Participating in a mock voting exercise;

·        Use of technology to conduct an opinion poll on a range of issues affecting young people, enabling instant feedback;

·        Facilitated workshops; and

·        A panel question and answer session with Members of the Council.

            The participation of elected Members would be crucial to the success of the event.  Along with the Lord Mayor, the involvement of the Party nominated Youth Champions would assist in achieving the outlined aims as well as breaking down barriers between young citizens, the Council and its Members.  It was expected that the event would cost approximately £3,300 which would include hospitality, IT provision and Master of Ceremony costs.

            The Committee approved the hosting of the EurVoice event as outlined.