RDA Sunshine Coast supports "Sunshine Coast Youth Summit 2010"

On 15 October 2010, RDA Sunshine Coast will take on a key supporting role and join over sixty young people for the third annual Sunshine Coast Youth Summit, to be held at Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, Mooloolaba.

RDA Sunshine Coast chair, Cr Debbie Blumel will deliver the Summit's closing address and join with several other dignitaries and guest speakers to recognise the important contribution our youth are making to the future of the Sunshine Coast.
 
The summit is organised by Sunshine Coast Youth Partnership in partnership with Family Planning Queensland and Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, and is supported by RDA Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

It will provide 60 delegates aged 15 to 25 years with an opportunity to discuss and develop solutions to issues concerning young people within their local communities.

"I am delighted that RDA Sunshine Coast has been given the opportunity to be involved with the Sunshine Coast Youth Summit this year," Cr Blumel said.

"Previous Youth Summits have resulted in the development and implementation of several innovative projects and I look forward to engaging with our young people to help develop solutions to youth issues."

During the one-day annual Summit, delegates will discuss topics resulting from the coast-wide Sunshine Coast Youth Summit Survey as well as the results of the Speak Up Engage Sunny Coast Youth Survey and present their outcomes and recommendations during an afternoon feedback session.

Topics to be discussed include:

•     Alcohol and Drugs
•     Education, Training and Employment
•     Recreation and Entertainment
•     Resilience and wellbeing -- incorporating the issues of sexuality and relationships, body image, self-esteem and mental health and/or illness.

"Our youth are an integral part of shaping and developing the Sunshine Coast into the future," Cr Blumel stated.

"This Summit will ensure their voices are heard by not only community and corporate representatives, but through the involvement of RDA and Sunshine Coast Council, recommendations can be taken to local, state and federal decision makers.

"RDA Sunshine Coast is currently developing its Regional Roadmap and recommendations from the Summit will be taken into account when considering strategies and issues relating to the economic and employment challenges into the future.

"Importantly, through our liaison with the Summit delegates and given the recent introduction of dedicated State and Federal Regional Development Ministers, RDA Sunshine Coast can directly communicate youth issues, priorities and recommendations to all three tiers of Government."

The Sunshine Coast Youth Summit will be held at the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, Mooloolaba Campus on 15 October 2010 from 8:30am -- 4:00pm.