October 19, 2009
BC Youth Parliament Nominations Due This Week

PRINCE GEORGE – Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond urges residents to nominate local youth for the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP) as the deadline for nominations approaches this week.

“BC Youth Parliament provides an amazing opportunity for young British Columbians to develop their leadership skills in a very unique setting,” says Bond. “For 80 years, the BCYP has provided students with the tools to make a difference in their communities.”

Each year, 95 youth are elected to BCYP as representatives of their communities. The applicant must be nominated by an organization committed to youth such as a school, community group, club or church.

“This is a great way for youth from all over the province to get together, debate important policy issues, learn about government, and make their voices heard. Please take the time to nominate a northern student for this program,” adds Bond. “I have encouraged several Northern students to be involved in previous years and they have found it to be fun and informative.”

BCYP’s Parliamentary Session runs from December 27 to 31, 2009 at the BC Legislature in Victoria. The processes and procedures are the same as the BC Legislature. However, members do not sit as representatives from any political party. They sit as independent members instead.

British Columbia Youth Parliament is an organization that recognizes every young person’s potential to lead and serve in their community. Since 1924, BCYP’s aim has been to provide a forum in which young people can develop skills in leadership, organization, public speaking and the parliamentary process and put these skills into practice through service to youth in their local communities.

All application forms must be emailed and received by October 21, 2009 to registrar@bcyp.org. Selected applicants will be notified in early November. For more information, please visit www.bcyp.org or contact Dora Turje at registrar@bcyp.org or by phone (604)728-0446.

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