West Sussex Youth Cabinet New ways for youth participation….

A little about me… In 1998 – Founder of the Crawley Young Person’s Council 2001 – Joined the West Sussex Youth Cabinet 2004 – AER Summer School, Olomouc, Czech Republic (wicked!!!) 2004 – National Sitting in Vienna to persuade big people… 2005 – AER Summer School, Bosnia 2006 – AER Summer School, Romania 2007 – Worked for the AER WOOP WOOP WOOP! 2007 – AER Summer School, Devon, UK! 2008 – Summer School, Jamtland, Sweden Then uni….. I don’t really like cheese!

Cool bunch of young people Established almost 10 years ago Democratically elected group of young people between the ages of Diversity of members Chief Executives’ Office Direct influence to the government UKYP/British Youth Council Work closely with influential people – police, politicians etc.

Wicked stuff Do YOU speak European? Citizenship Forums Electronic Elections

E-Democracy into Europe! Democratic Electronic elections Italy partner country Regions of Puglia and Calabria Jump In and Youth Step No elections established so far

Project timetable September 2010 Infrastructure planning and devlelopment. Training of UK young people to build skills for programme implementation Launch event in Lodge Hill, UK. Intensive training on setting up youth organisations and elections. October 2010 Weekly online support meetings Planning meetings with youth teams November 2010 Weekly online support meetings Planning meetings with youth teams December 2010 Weekly online support meetings Planning meetings with youth teams January 2011 Pilot run of electronic election International Press Release February 2011 Analysis of pilot phase and resolution of problems/queries March 2011 West Sussex Youth Cabinet/Milton Keynes elections. Italian parters’ shadowing exercise April 2011 Italian elections plus newly elected young people’s training day. May 2011 Evaluation June 2011 Results captured and analysed Research completed and toolkit designed July 2011 August 2011 Dissemination of results and tool kit. Project Timetable

The boring stuff The bid was 27 pages long – yuk Support from 1 other country and 2 regions within each country Asked for €50,781 We must contribute 25% Deadline 1 st June Find out soon….

New ways of Youth Participation and building a stronger Europe Already worked with the beautiful Justyna… AER Regional Youth Network – key player for dissemination/evaluation Young people’s voices heard Best practice Young people to have fun – wooooo!

Please pick us because we will… Based on the idea that young people should be supported to become active citizens They should be given the opportunity to be involved in the democratic decision-making process wherever possible To give a voice and better representation of young people Easier methods of voting Increase voter turnout Increased political awareness Promote active European Citizenship

Thank you!