BELFAST YOUTH COUNCIL

OVERVIEW: The Belfast Youth Council (BYC) has been established by the Belfast City Council in conjunction with local youth serving organizations. It is made up of young people supported by their peers and who represent their communities. The BYC has been designed to enable young people to advise the City Council directly about issues facing young people and ways to address them. In short, it is designed to provide Belfast youth with a first-hand look at the work of Belfast government, how it is planned, the infrastructure that is used and the City’s vision for the future.

MISSION: The Belfast Youth Council’s mission is to create a working partnership among the youth of Belfast and the city government, to ensure a better sense of community, responsibility and service. Specifically, the purposes of the BYC are to enable Belfast youth an opportunity to participate in municipal government as an advisory body, and second, to utilize their creativity towards community enhancement.

MEMBERSHIP: The Council’s membership shall consist of 12 students with three alternates. Members are required to complete an application and present themselves before a screening committee before being interviewed and appointed by the City Council. One city Councilor and an appointed representative serve as co-advisors.

Application Form

For more information contact Jim Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation

posted & updated 12/15/05