Aberdeen City Youth Council
| Charity | |
| Industry | Youth empowerment, youth politics, representation |
| Founded | 1998, 2008 as "Aberdeen City Youth Council" |
| Headquarters | Torry Youth and Leisure Centre, Torry, Aberdeen, Scotland |
Area served | Aberdeen |
| Website |
www |
Aberdeen City Youth Council is a registered charity[1] that aims to give young people a voice in decision-making at a citywide level in Aberdeen, Scotland.
About
Aberdeen City Youth Council is made up of young people, aged 12–25 years of age, that represents people of that age group from different areas and interest groups in Aberdeen. The organization is the official voice of young people in Aberdeen and aims to promote the views of young people in the decision-making process at local, citywide, national and international levels. However, the work of the organization extends to promoting an accurate image of young people in the media, running youth-orientated events in the city and liaising with local decision-makers and community figures to have the views of local young people adopted.
Aberdeen City Youth Council is supported by Aberdeen City Council financially and by means of staff support, through the City Council's Youth Participation Officer.
The Office Bearer Team
- Chair - Rebecca Lindsay
- Vice-Chair - Dainius Tomas Balcytis
- Secretary - Scott Bremner
- Press Officer - Michael Hutchison
- Treasurer - Piotr Teodorowski
- Recruitment Officer - vacant
- Equality & Diversity Officer - vacant
Structure
Youth Councillors are co-opted by the Youth Council's membership to sit on the body as long as they are eligible. Membership is open to any young person aged 14–25 years of age who lives, works or studies in Aberdeen.
The organization is entirely led by its membership and holds biennial elections to appoint an Officer Bearer team, consisting of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Press Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Recruitment Officer and Equality and Diversity Officer. This team determines the strategy, policy and long-term direction of the organization, with the approval of the membership.
The Aberdeen City Youth Council works closely with various organizations across Aberdeen, including; but not limited to: community centres, community councils, cultural organizations, local area forums and local businesses. The organization also has a very close relationship with the Scottish Youth Parliament. The Aberdeen City Youth Council is the local coordinator for Scottish Youth Parliament elections and Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) for the constituencies of Aberdeen Central, Aberdeen Donside and Aberdeen South and North Kincardine. The representatives are elected by the young people of Aberdeen.
History
The Aberdeen City Youth Council was previously known as the Youth Action Committee (YAC) and Listen Young People Speaking (LYPS) which performed a similar role in Aberdeen since its establishment in 1998.
Chairpersons Past & Present
- Rebecca Lindsay - 2014 (incumbent)
- Dainius Tomas Balcytis - 2014 to 2014 (acting)
- Struan King - 2013 to 2014
- Barry Black - 2012 to 2013
- Ashleigh O'Connor-Hanlon - 2012 to 2012
- Sean Press - 2010 to 2012
- Paul Robertson - 2008 to 2010
- Julie-Anne Butchart - 2007 to 2008
- Faith Mackie - 2006 to 2007
- Chris Ritchie - 2001 to 2006
- Vicki Wood - 2001 to 2001
- Charlene Kilpatrick - 1998 to 2001
See also
- Community youth development
- Youth politics
- Aberdeen City Council
- Scottish Youth Parliament
- British Youth Council
- United Kingdom Youth Parliament
- European Youth Parliament