Cornwall Youth Council launches ambitious manifesto
Plan for next two years includes ensuring that children and young people have safe homes and are involved in decisions at school that impact them
Cornwall Council has published the manifesto of the Cornwall Youth Council for the next two years. Established in 2022, the youth council aims to empower children and young people across the region and to advocate on their behalf.
Members of the Cornwall Youth Council, photo courtesy of Cornwall Council
The 12 members of the youth council were elected by more than 10,000 children across the county last year. The manifesto is based on the pledges of these 12 members. It also incorporates findings from two surveys – Make Your Mark and Right On – in which 18,000 children shared their views on a range of topics.
Among the manifesto commitments are ensuring that there is safe, securing housing available for all children and young people. Other priorities include better parks and playgrounds, provision to support physical and mental health, and equal opportunities for all children.
Another goal is to ensure that young people are involved in decisions that affect them in school life, such as changes to the times of the school day or to uniform. Indeed, the manifesto includes letting children decide if they wear a school blazer.
Indigo-Violet, Cornwall Youth Council Elected Member for South East Cornwall, says: ‘I want there to be safer spaces for young people to play and more footpaths to allow safer journeys for pedestrians, as well as cyclists.’
Molly, on the youth council’s communications team, adds: ‘I may be inexperienced, but I know that younger voices matter. So I promise to represent all the voices of the young.’
The Cornwall Youth Council was established to make sure the voices of children and young people are heard and taken seriously, as stated in Article 12 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. The new manifesto spells out exactly which UNCRC articles are supported by each goal.
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Cornwall Council, says: ‘This manifesto is super impressive, and I know it will make a real difference in shaping the future of Cornwall for children and young people. The Youth Council plays a crucial role in holding Cornwall Council to account, letting us know what we do right, what we do wrong, and what we need to be focusing on more.
‘There is a permanent seat on the Cornwall Leadership Board for the Chair of Cornwall Youth Council and recently a representative from the Youth Council sat on the selection panel to help choose our new Chief Operating Officer – one of the top jobs at the council. This is all part of the council’s pledge to make Cornwall a brilliant place to be a child and grow up, and we can only do that by listening to and working closely with young people themselves. I’m really looking forward to working with these brilliant young people to make sure they all achieve their goals.’
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