The Christchurch Youth Action Plan: Foundation Document is launched

Thursday 20th July 2017

The Christchurch Youth Action Plan: Foundation Document is launched

Young people and Decision Makers will come together at 3pm on the 20th July 2017 at the central city RSA to launch and celebrate the Christchurch Youth Action Plan: Foundation Document. The Christchurch Youth Action Plan initiative will empower young people to work with decision makers to make positive changes to their lives within themselves, their whanau, community and city.Hon. Lianne Dalziel the Mayor of Christchurch and young people from various youth led organisations will be presenting the plan during the launch.

Hon. Nikki Kaye Minister of Youth highlights the importance of the Action Plan,‘Christchurch Youth Action Plan is about encouraging young people to believe in themselves and their vision for the future, and have a say on matters important to them. It’s also about empowering them to create positive changes in their city, communities and whanau, and supporting their ability to achieve their goals.’

Over 350 young people were consulted by other young people to establish a foundation document, ensuring the process was youth-led and that there were multiple opportunities to feedback throughout the engagement process. The document has been created to provide a foundation for actions to be developed from, as part of a process that promotes co-creation and collaboration. Dalziel praises the engagement process, ‘Both the process, (which involved a wide range of youth-oriented groups), and the Foundation Document itself is a fantastic demonstration of how, if we actually take the time to ask, our young people will engage.’

The document expresses the views a range of young people from a diverse background and young people's feedback has been grouped into seven key themes; transport, wellbeing, youth friendly spaces and places, environment, representation and belonging and education.

This initiative has allowed young people to openly express their ideas for a better city and quality of life. The intention is to seek, create and support tangible actions from the considerations outlined in the foundation document.

Kendra Burgess-Naude, 19, Co-Chair of the Christchurch Youth Council says “It is exciting to see the Christchurch City Council empowering young people to lead this initiative and supporting young people to make positive changes in their own lives’, The Christchurch City Council have provided ongoing financial support throughout the initiative and creation of the document.

Burgess-Naude is ‘excited to see so many young people passionate about making Christchurch the best city it can be,’ and is thrilled that the Christchurch Youth Council will be taking over guardianship of the initiative following the launch ‘we are honoured to take on the kaitiakitanga of the Christchurch Youth Action Plan, it fits with our kaupapa of representing youth voice and we hope that we can work to ensure the Plan continues to gain traction with decision-makers and young people throughout the city.’

For more information on the initiative and to view Foundation Document (which will be available from 6:30pm) visit http://www.chchyouthactionplan.co.nz/

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