Youth Debate to celebrate National Youth Week 2008
Friday 23 May 2008, 2:51PM
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A Youth Debate will be among the highlights of year’s activities to celebrate Youth week in Whakatane.
The battle of the minds will take place at the Cyber Café (Whakatane Youth Centre) Canning Place. There are two topics to challenge the minds of the debating teams and titillate the audience. The protagonists this year are, the newly formed Whakatane Youth Council and Murupara based Rangitahi College.
The first topic; “Youth are risk takers and represent high percentage of road crashes compared to other age groups”, should engender fiery debate with the young people who may feel they are unnecessarily a targeted in the enforcement of road regulations. The second topic asks whether the Council is proactive in promoting its cycle ways in the District.
Eastern Bay Road Safety Coordinator Maurice Tooke says, “The topics are very pertinent and current as findings from a lot of brain development research show that young drivers (under 24 years) take greater risks than other age groups. He added that cycling is now an important local consideration as the continued increase in the price of fuel petrol forces us as individuals and community, to think more seriously about our modes of transportation”.
Whakatne District Council and Waiariki Mori Women’s Welfare League are pleased to be hosting another Youth debate in Whakatane. The debate provides an opportunity young people to meet and discuss issues that affect them and offer suggestions on possible solutions.
National Youth Week will run from Monday 26 May to Sunday 1 June 2008. Other activities for Youth will take place throughout the week in Whakatane.
Whakatane District Council, Kaitakawaenga Maori Hinewai Katene says “Each year the competition between the debating teams has always been very competitive. The forum not only provides an opportunity for the youth to have their say on issues that affect them but also to network with other students, meet councillors and community leaders.”
The morning will commence at 10am with a Mihi Whakatau before leading into the Debate.