Students welcomed to Guildhall for Local Democracy Week

Derry City and Strabane District Council celebrated Local Democracy Week with an action-packed schedule.

Local Democracy Week is an annual European-wide campaign that aims, on a national level, to raise young people’s awareness of how local Councils operate.  It informs them about opportunities for taking part in local decision-making and, as a result, draws attention to how their involvement in local affairs is crucial in upholding local democracy.

Students from the district’s primary schools, secondary schools and colleges were all involved in the four-day event where they had the opportunity to meet the Mayor, grill MPs, MLAs and local party leaders, as well as hold a great debate and take part in a mock council meeting.

Mayor Michaela Boyle said it was an important event in giving young people a voice and encouraging their passion.

“We had four fantastic days in the Guildhall for Local Democracy Week, meeting so many students from across the district area.

“It’s crucial that we engage with the younger generation when it comes to politics, because they have a strong voice and an important contribution to make.

“I was delighted to see how interested everyone was in learning more about how our Council works, and they certainly didn’t hold back with the hard-hitting questions for all of our politicians!

“They are all future leaders in the making, and from what I saw this week our future is in very safe hands.”