Environment Canterbury welcomes youth representatives to committee
Two youth representatives have joined a key committee of the Canterbury Regional Council.
The Regional Leadership, Climate and Community Resilience Committee has appointed Oscar Bloom and Alice Docking as youth members with full voting rights.
“More and more we’re seeing that young people have an expectation that their views will be taken into account on key future-focused matters,” said Committee Chair Craig Pauling.
“We saw evidence of this last year with a record number of submissions from young people to our annual plan for the 2022/23 year. This Committee provides an opportunity to involve young people in decision making on strategic issues and climate action.
“Environment Canterbury has demonstrated its support for young people influencing decisions through the Youth Rōpū and the inclusion of youth members on water zone committees. We’re taking this a step further by bringing them into this committee to contribute to the discussion as decisions are made,” he said.
Alice Docking is studying a Master’s degree in Planning at Lincoln University and has been a strong advocate for youth involvement in decision making. She said the decision sends a clear message to young people.
“It says that they can be involved; that their contribution will make a difference,” she said. “It will encourage young people to become more involved.”
Joining her on the committee, Oscar Bloom is studying Law and Communications at the University of Canterbury and said it’s important to be able to contribute as decisions are made.