Next Steps Communities for Youth Stage 2 provided the opportunity to both continue the project and to attain a scoped focus for progression. While Stage 2 funding has ceased with the completion of this report, this report outcomes and connections made at the Summit have the potential to initiate the next. The recommendations from this report include, • Continued support, development and progression of youth projects from Summit through partnerships with youth and stakeholders; • Exploration of a Shire of Esperance youth advisory group to support ongoing youth engagement in planning, policies, strategies etc; • Creating greater awareness of report outcomes and to foster greater community involvement in supporting a youth friendly community including opportunities for youth engagement and leadership; • To act on the above while still current and have youth and stakeholders connected and engaged in working towards a youth-friendly Esperance community. The Shire of Esperance provides the following statements with relation to the Community for Youth Project and outcomes. ‘This document will be used as an informing document for our Strategic Community Plan. We will be undertaking community engagement later this year and this will assist in identifying what is important to this demographic. In addition we would seek participation from local school council groups (and broader school group if possible) to ensure we capture as much information from this group as possible. Council will continue to approach and source opinions from the youth to ensure future plans are cognizant of their views and needs into the future. The Strategic plan needs to cover all ages within our community to ensure a true representation. Traineeships for young people at the Shire of Esperance (as an employer) are encouraged and supported. The development of the skate park will see a dedicated youth precinct be developed in the shire. When organising Shire events Shire staff will encourage youth participation where appropriate.’ In conclusion it is important to reinstate, as in stage 1, that this the Communities for Youth Project is not aimed at any one specific stakeholder but all stakeholders of the community. Whether that be community groups and clubs, businesses, services, agencies, government, education institutions, etc. all have an investment in the future and as such the young people of today and tomorrow. Young people’s inclusion in the greater community including feeling respected, being engaged and views valued in community planning, activities and decision making, is crucial to young people’s development and positive experience of Esperance. Hence supporting and growing the youth in a youth friendly environment, as a whole community, can contribute to building their capacity, resilience, connection and the future of Esperance.
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