A group of teenagers from the Delta/Richmond area will be spending their weekend learning parliamentary procedure, debating legislation and meeting guests involved in B.C. politics.
From today until Sunday the Richmond Delta Youth Parliament, made up of about 40 teens, will be meeting for their first year at McMath Secondary School, according to a press release.
RDYP is all about learning, says Andrea Wong Koo, Premier of the 1st Richmond Delta Youth Parliament.
“We learn how our government passes legislation, but we also learn about leadership, service, and the value of listening to learn from each other. I am learning as much as any new member.”
RDYP aims to give youth the experience of actively participating in the parliamentary process and the opportunity to practice public speaking and develop their leadership skills. After their session, members of RDYP will take the legislation and private member’s resolutions they pass and turn it into action within their communities. All legislation is written by the members of RDYP and outlines the activities members will run throughout the year.
Additionally, for issues that are not addressed in legislation, members are encouraged to write private member’s resolutions in order to debate social issues and important topics. This year, topics include Lowering the Voting Age in B.C. to 16.
Guests at RDYP will include Richmond councillors Kelly Greene and Michael Wolfe, Delta councillors Dylan Kruger and Lois Jackson, Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon and superintendent of Richmond schools Sherry Elwood.
