Anderton : We Must Work with Our Young People to Build a Better Future

People’s Mayor candidate Jim Anderton will give Christchurch youth a voice to represent the young people of Christchurch and plans to empower them to take on a more active role in the future rebuild of their city and local communities.

“We have in front of us both a sad and unique opportunity to rebuild Christchurch. With the rebuild there is a golden opportunity to pass on valued craft and trade skills to our young people, in order that they become the custodians of the city’s heritage for future generations. I would encourage apprenticeships across the building trades to ensure valuable skills are passed on”, says Jim Anderton.

With the 15-25 age group making up 30% of Christchurch’s residents and with one in three of those 18-24 years of age unemployed, Anderton feels more should be done to encourage them to have their say on behalf of those most affected by drastic funding cuts, for youth services in general and the closure of the 198 Health Centre, in particular.

“The loss of the 198 Health Centre has been tragic for the city’s young people. It is frustrating to see a positive service like this disappear from the landscape. The Council has made presumptions of what the city’s young people want but no-one has asked them. I feel the voice of youth has been ignored and I want to change that before it is too late.

“The spending of the current council will become this generation’s debt to shoulder, yet they have had no say on what the Council is doing, which is basically making decisions that will directly affect their future lives”, Jim Anderton said.

Anderton wants Christchurch’s youth to get involved with their local community boards and People’s Forums to develop schemes and ideas across the city that will positively engage young people with their local communities.

“There are a lot of smart young people living here with some very good ideas. If I am elected Mayor, I want this generation to have their say and take an active part in shaping the city’s future. Christchurch is a fantastic place to grow up but young people feel strongly that there are too few ‘safe’ social activities available to them. I want to see more youth initiatives taken up by the Council in consultation with the City’s youth and I support People’s Choice candidates Yani Johansson and James Dann’s idea to make the CBD a free WIFI zone to encourage more people into the city centre”.

Anderton also wants to see an alcohol and drug-free central city venue set up for this age group.

He said, “Outside the sports clubs and church groups, a lot of young people aren’t being catered for. Many young people drink to fill a void as there’s nowhere to go. I’m not saying the Council should necessarily set up a venue itself, but young people should have a say and tell us what they want”

Another youth venture Jim Anderton wants to initiate is a website or hub for youth to access information, on sexual health issues, alcohol and drugs advice, and practical information such as how to write a CV and advice on potential careers.

“There are some amazing under-resourced youth services in the city, but most of them are fragmented and many young people are unaware of their existence. I would like to see more collaboration across youth services to ensure information is easily accessible and under one umbrella for youth”.

ENDS

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