Children are being encouraged to get creative and show what they would do if they ruled the world as part of an exciting range of activities run by Shropshire Council to mark Local Democracy Week (LDW) 2009.
Primary age children have the opportunity to share their ideas on the decisions they would make if they were in a position of power at the highest level by entering the ‘If I Ruled the World’ competition.
The winners will be ‘crowned’ by High Sheriff Anna Turner at a ceremony at Shirehall in Shrewsbury on Friday 13 November 2009. The winning entries will also be displayed at Shirehall among other venues.
The competition is one of many LDW events in Shropshire which involve children, young people, decision makers and local councillors. Running from 12 to 18 October, the week aims to encourage more residents, communities and schools to take part in decision making.
Among the activities, young people are also urged to tell the council what they would do if they were in charge of services for children and young people in Shropshire. This competition gives 11 to 18-year-olds the chance to say what actions they would take if they were the boss of the council department providing services such as schools and youth facilities. The winning entry will join the Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Liz Nicholson, for a day.
Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “We’ve received some fantastic entries to these competitions in previous years. I’m really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries - and taking part in Local Democracy Week.
“I know first hand just how valuable Local Democracy Week is as I’ve been heavily involved in the initiative for some years through my former role as a champion for children and young people.
“We always welcome input from all young people into what happens, both within and beyond their local community, and welcome the chance to highlight how councillors and officers listen to what young people have to say.
“The events have been organised with the input of children and young people to ensure they provide a great opportunity for them to express their views, make suggestions and have their voices heard.
“Working together with the Youth Parliament and the Speak Out Group, the events run by Shropshire Council have always been a great success and I’m very proud of what has been, and continues to be, achieved.”
Entries in the ‘Head of Service for the Day’ competition should be written and those for ‘If I Ruled the World’ can be art, stories, poetry, song or any other creative way children want to get their message across. They can be submitted now and the deadline for both competitions is Monday 19 October.
Councillor Caesar-Homden added: “The details of the competitions have been sent to schools but I would also encourage parents to get their children involved at home. The more young people that take part, the better we can listen to, and take on board, young people's views."
Other LDW events in Shropshire include a ‘Democracy Dinner’ hosted by the county’s Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), a ‘Take Your Councillor to School, Youth Club or College Day’ and a ‘Respect Yourself for Teens Day’ led by MYPs and the council’s Health Development Team.
For further information about the competitions and LDW go to www.shropshireyouth.com or contact Dawn Lewis, Corporate Young People's Development Worker, on 01743 254295.
Issued: 25 September 2009