Inspired youth share their vision

Youth educating youth, further education opportunities and more renewable resources are some of the ideas of students from throughout the region for the future of the Bay of Plenty.

More than 60 Bay of Plenty students gathered in Pāpāmoa for the Youth Jam meeting, which was part of the Youth Week celebrations.

The event, hosted annually by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, is open to all secondary schools and gives students the opportunity to get involved in local government decision making.

At this year's Youth Jam Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Group Manager Corporate Services Brian Trott said students looked at the strengths weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing their areas.

"The students are passionate about our region succeeding," Mr Trott said. "They came up with some really creative ideas for some of the issues currently facing our region. It's so important to give our young people the opportunity to get involved in decision making because the choices we make now will affect their future.".

Students from Kawerau, Edgecumbe, Tauranga Girls', Pāpāmoa and Katikati Colleges and Western Heights and Whakatāne High Schools attended the two day event.

"Youth Jam is a great opportunity to nurture our young leaders. Students who had taken part in previous years helped create this year's programme and also lead the two days," Mr Trott said.

"The event is all about youth so it makes sense to have them involved in the creation and running of the event to empower them and keep the programme relevant.".

A student delegation will report back on Youth Jam to the Strategic Policy and Planning Committee Meeting in Whakatāne on 12 June.

Youth Jam 2012 is supported by Ministry of Youth Development, Careers NZ, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Students shared their experiences over the two days on Twitter.

Top Tweets from #youthjambop

youthjambopleaders ‏@youthjamleaders
"Key Ideas @ #youthjambop for the next 10 years are...Sustainable Resources/power, Reserves & parks, More bussines, Education & Communication"

youthjambopleaders ‏@youthjamleaders
WOW what an inspiration those guys were @ #youthjambop learnt so much environmental information love sarah, alisha, morgan and eva :)

Sophie Baird ‏@SophieBaird16
If only i knew about it earlier i would of come everyear!.. i have been livinig under a rock...good stuff does happen to me !!!#youthjambop

Jasmine McCracken ‏@Nialls_Potato
Had an awesome inspirational time at #youthjambop x !

Youth Jam 2012 was supported by Ministry of Youth Development, Careers New Zealand, Priority One, University of Waikato, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and The Enviroschools Foundation.