YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS DURING YOUTH WEEK

Six new members joined the Provincial Youth Advisory Committee as they met over the weekend to determine their priorities for 2006-07. The committee is comprised of a group of 25 young people from across Saskatchewan who advise Government on issues that matter to young people.

At the meeting, Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel thanked outgoing members for their work.

"The Provincial Youth Advisory Committee has been instrumental in the development of government programs and policies that support youth leadership, community involvement and quality workforce participation," Hagel said. "New programs, such as the Saskatchewan Youth Project Awards, are a direct result of their hard work and commitment to other Saskatchewan youth."

"We took a lot away from our meeting with Minister Hagel," Provincial Youth Advisory Committee Co-chair Mitchell Anderson said. "He gave us renewed confidence in our ability to lead Saskatchewan's second century and inspired us to dream big, plan well and work hard."

Young people interested in applying for youth leadership opportunities, including participation on the Provincial Youth Advisory Committee, are encouraged to fill out a youth leadership opportunities profile on www.saskyouth.net.

Minister Hagel also spoke about the importance of youth leadership at the International Youth Week opening ceremonies at a Regina-area high school this morning.

"It's an exciting time to be a young person in Saskatchewan – our economy is on a roll, young people are driving technology and trade, and we have tremendous potential because of our youth," Hagel said. "We have every reason to be proud out loud - proud of who we are, proud of where we are, and proud of where we are going. Youth are our future and ensuring that they have an opportunity to lead and have a voice is more important now than ever before."

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967