Executive Council
November 18, 2013
Engaging Young People Helps Build a Vibrant Province
New Website Allows Youth to Connect With Provincial Government
A new website that directs young people to a variety of programs,
services and resources provides another way in which they can share their
views and ideas with the Provincial Government. Paul Lane, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the
Office of Public Engagement, today joined students at Memorial University
for the launch of NLYouth.ca
“This new website is a great resource for youth, and an opportunity for
them to connect with community groups and with the Provincial Government. NLYouth.ca
provides advice on careers, volunteering and other important information in
one location, and is designed to help youth make informed choices and
decisions. It is important to not only provide information, but to
hear the opinions of and gather input from the future leaders of our
province, who provide a unique perspective that helps support government
policy and decision-making.”
- The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Office of
Public Engagement
NLYouth.ca - //nlyouth.ca/ - is part of government’s ongoing efforts to engage young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Features of NLYouth.ca include:
- Links to all Office of Public Engagement youth initiatives;
- Links to external sites designed to help young people become involved in their communities;
- Two new resources – the My Home relocation guide which offers guidance and advice to people moving to the province, and Engage Youth 101, an online collection of resources, tools and tips to help better engage youth in all aspects of society;
- Community Board where individuals and youth-serving agencies can get their messages out to youth; and,
- The Join in the Conversation page, which outlines the many ways young people can connect with government.
- Youth engagement to date has taken many forms, including the Getting the Message Out program, URock volunteer awards and a series of ongoing forums which provide young people with an opportunity to discuss important issues, such as careers and civic engagement. Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, a Secure Future provided approximately $640,000 in funding to more than 30 organizations that support youth engagement activities and learning opportunities for young people and an additional $2.5 million has been allocated for 34 Community Youth Networks across the province.
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to open and transparent government and to engaging youth, the volunteer sector, families and communities to build a vibrant and prosperous province.
QUICK FACTS
- NLYouth.ca is a new website that will link young people to programs, services and resources available in Newfoundland and Labrador, and allows youth to share their views and opinions with the Provincial Government.
- In 2013, the Provincial Government is providing approximately $640,000 in funding to more than 30 organizations that support youth engagement activities and learning opportunities for young people, and an additional $2.5 million has been allocated for 34 Community Youth Networks across the province.
- For over 20 years, the Getting the Message Out (GMO) program has been promoting careers in entrepreneurship among youth. This year the GMO program will reach 100 schools and between 3,500 and 4,500 students.
- Since May, 24 youth engagement forums involving 500 high school students have been held throughout the province giving young people an opportunity to discuss issues such as careers and civic involvement.
- Young people are invited to join in the conversation with government through NLYouth.ca, Twitter or the Office of Public Engagement website: www.ope.gov.nl.ca/
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation,
Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2013 11 18 12:10 p.m.