Zuhayb (YMN co-ordinator) – When I stepped down as Young Mayor of Newham, everyone kept telling me how the feeling would sink in and the surreal atmosphere would soon dissolve into reality. No one predicted that this one success would just trigger another and lead in to a chain reaction? I spent my whole term lost in the pleasure and gratitude of being the representative of so many passionate and talented young people, and no sooner had that era drawn to a close than I get a proposal from the Young Mayor Network to come and carry on the work that I had so heavily fallen for.
Four months on I am sitting at my desk writing about how Rt. Hon Hazel Blears MP has recognised and supported the work of the Young Mayor Network by announcing a £2million budget to help young people from other areas to also benefit from having a young mayor of their own. Mrs. Blears met with young people form across the country today to discuss and push forward the issue of participation and young people in a workshop lead by the Young Mayor Network.
In agreement with Mrs. Blears I also believe that Young Mayor schemes provide young people with a figurehead to listen and voice their views on a greater platform and also the opportunity to have direct influence over decisions that effect their livelihood. The announced budget should allow another 20 young mayor schemes to kick off around the country and reignite the belief and passion of the new generation in democracy and change.
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