Discussion Backgrounder for Ottawa Youth Cabinet

Proposal – Collaboration between Young People’s Perspective and OYC regarding an Annual Youth Event in Ottawa

Young People’s Perspective is a network of youth service providers and young people. We have over 20 agencies represented and many bring youth representatives. Meetings are held once a month at Ottawa City Hall. Our objectives are to provide a level playing field between youth staff and young people; to identify and address youth issues through project development; to provide youth consultation for Ottawa’s agencies and to share resources. In addition we have held a Youth Forum annually on Parliament Hill (last year it was held at City Hall for security reasons).

This has been managed on a small budget but is always presented on a big scale! Youth facilitated workshops are presented and youth recommendations are documented in our annual ACTION Manual (see draft copy – ACTION Manual 2003). The manual is distributed to politicians, school boards, social service agencies and to all those groups that have an impact on the lives of youth in Ottawa. In gratitude, the youth delegates are provided with free admission, snacks, dinner and a dance (following is a copy of the workshops provided last year). The event is held from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Example agenda - 12 p.m. Registration

1 p.m. Guest Speaker (Past speakers – Jim Watson, “Ready or Not” star, Stuntman Stu, Olympic Gold Winner)

1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Workshops

5:30 - Group Event

6:00 p.m. – Dinner

7 – 10 p.m.- Dance

It is our suggestion today, that the Ottawa Youth Cabinet and YPP could come together, in their experiences in providing an Annual Youth Event (Teen Expo). Both groups have a lot of previous experience in youth event planning and would undoubtedly benefit from the collaboration.

OUR PRIORITIES

* held on a day that increases access to all youth (typically get between 200-300 youth)

* that it be free

* youth facilitated workshops (co-led by youth service providers)

* workshop based on youth surveys/needs

* we manage each Forum on a budget of $4000 (most items are donated or sponsored by businesses) . This year we could contribute $2000 to a combined effort.

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