Central Coast Council’s Thinking Out Loud Youth Forum is returning bigger and better than ever in 2023 with registrations now open.
The forum will be held on Wednesday, May 3, hosted by Council’s Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Action Team.
This year the theme of the forum is Including Us and Council is calling on young people aged between 12 and 24, businesses, organisations, shopping centre management and event organisers to come together and contribute to important discussions on how to best include, involve and engage young people in community life, events and initiatives.
Council Unit Manager of Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon, said the free event was designed to address key concerns young people had identified within the Central Coast community about how they were engaged in community life.
“A key finding in the Central Coast Youth Strategy 2019–2024 identified that young people felt there are limited opportunities where they can access safe and affordable venues to socialise, meet their friends and hang out,” Cantillon said.
“Our youth also said that while there are a great range of programs, events and activities on the Central Coast they aren’t regular enough or inclusive enough for them.
“This forum is providing the platform for business stakeholders to hear from a unique perspective on how best to engage with and increase participation from young people.
“I want to particularly encourage student representatives from local high schools, TAFE and universities to come together to utilise this opportunity and ensure that their voices are heard.”
The day will be broken into two parts: presentations from guest speakers who will highlight ways to better include young people in community life, events and initiatives; and group workshops.
Speakers will include 2022 Young Australian of the year finalist, Founder of Breathe and Board and Director at the Adolescent Health Association of Australia, Jahin Tanvir , and Fixx Events and Marketing owner Brad Cardis.
The group workshops will open a dialogue directly with young people, businesses, organisations and event organisers.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the forum was a unique opportunity to identify and discuss current issues facing young people and it was crucial that the region’s schools and businesses participated.
“This a great opportunity for key business stakeholders to hear directly from young people on ways that they can create a space that is both welcoming and engaging for them,” he said.
“It is also a chance for young people to have their voice heard and be a part of positive change that supports all to feel welcome in participating in the wonderful opportunities of community life across the Central Coast.”
The forum will be held from 9am to 1.30pm on May 3 at Council’s Wyong Administration Building.
Registrations can be made at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ThinkingOutLoud.
Source:
Media release, Mar 27
Central Coast Council