WHY is it great to be a youth councillor? WHY is great to be a working part of your community? WHY? I can tell you how it has been for me. Over the last four years I have been to four National Youth conferences and two British Youth Conferences – this would be open to you. I have met people from all over Britain that have become my friends. I have learnt so much from these friends – all of whom care about their community, and want to work to improve it. I am joining a conference in Durham on different cultures, different nationalities and different religions that share our country and lives with us. We will learn how to play Indian drums, learn about the different food learn about different cultures learn to live together and enjoy the differences. Today being different is sometimes thought of as being weird. That’s stupid, how is it good if we are all the same? Through my involvement with Berkhamsted Youth Council I got involved with the British Youth Council. This is an organization that helps young people with their own local youth councils. So we are not on our own – but helped by those young people in the BYC who understand us. I was chosen to be one of the media spokes persons for the British Youth Council—this involved me in a fun day of training up in London. It means that the BYC will use me on national television, radio and newspaper interviews for promoting our views, that is your views. So that your voice is heard, not only in your community but at Westminster, where I have already been invited to ask the Youth Minister Questions. In today’s community young people are connected with trouble. The young have a negative image that we want to change. Personally for Berkhamsted I want a skateboard park and I also want to brighten up the town with public art, art that you guys produce. Do you ever sit at home in Berkhamsted wishing that there was something to do, wishing that to enjoy yourself you did not have to leave your own town? Do you have realistic ideas that you will commit yourselves to? Do you have ideas that you will stand by ’til they are finished? Do you have the commitment to spend some of your spare time making your dreams for Berkhamsted come true? You have the power to make a difference! Being on a youth council may not be good for all of you. For those of you who are interested, It is a great way of improving your people skills and your understanding of your community. It is a great way to enjoy yourselves. It is a great way to make new friends who care about the future. It is a great way to be an active part of your town. It is a great way of making Berkhamsted a better place for young people. See if your school will elect you to be one of our team to make things better! Mischke Weinreb mischke@castlewharf.com
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