New Westminster, BC – The City of New Westminster is pleased to announce the launch of New West City 101, a youth leadership and skills development program focused on civic engagement and local government. New West City 101 is an experiential education program which will teach New Westminster youth aged 13-18 about their city, how their municipal government works, and how to proactively engage on issues that matter to them.

“New West City 101 has been developed as a key initiative under the City of New Westminster’s Public Engagement Strategy and Action Plan as a way to pursue innovative approaches to civic engagement and foster new relations with under-represented groups, such as youth,” said Mayor Jonathan X. Coté. “Our aim is to help educate the next generation of leaders, enhance overall civic literacy, and build their capacity to contribute to the future of their communities.”

Working in partnership with CityHive, a non-profit organization focused on providing opportunities for youth to become more involved in their communities, a group of approximately 20 students will be identified who are interested in engaging with the City and their community and wish to develop their civic leadership skills. During this 8-week after school program, students will learn about how the city is run and how decisions are made, as well as learn about topics including parks, housing, land use, the local economy, transportation and sustainability planning, and more. Sessions will be led by New Westminster city staff, council members and community partners, who will bring topical city initiatives and challenges to the table for input. Participants will also have the opportunity to co-design projects and present them back to city council, staff, and the community. The program will run from April to May 2019.

Interested students are encouraged to apply online from February 4^th to 24^th, 2019 by visiting www.newwestcity.ca/newwestcity101

The program is made possible by the sponsorship of Vancity and Douglas College and support from New Westminster School District 40.

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Contact:

Blair Fryer
Manager of Economic Development, Communications & Public Engagement
City of New Westminster
604-527-4688 or