Taupo Youth Council learn and share ideas at Youth Conference

A youth conference about quality relationships and young people held in Wellington was fun, challenging, thought-provoking and energising for the Taupo Youth Council members who attended last week.

Taupo District Council’s Community Projects Officer, Jenny Steadman secured funding from Youthtown for four Youth Council members and herself to attend the conference. There were a range of national and international presenters as well as a number of organisations and people experienced in working with youth with over 800 people in attendance.

Taupo Youth Council members all commented on how much value they got from the conference. Brooke Martin said, “It is a great opportunity to come together with other youth and youth organisations to share projects, events and ideas that we can bring back to strengthen our current group.”

Daniel Campbell said his favourite session was the hip hop where they talked about if youth respond to hip hop why not use it? “I thoroughly enjoyed it and would go again,” he said.

Jess Murray thought the food was yummy and the youth caucus was great! She said there were MP’s representing the major parties in parliament. “We asked questions about youth and what government is doing, such as the right age to vote. When asked if the age should be changed, they all said no! So they can agree on some things.”

Samantha Haycock said the conference in Wellington was exciting. “I learnt a lot of things about youth, youth’s involvement in politics and different youth organisations. I would like to do it again in 2010!”

The conference was organised by organised by New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development and the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa.