On Monday 28th January, Leicestershire Cares staff joined Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, Deputy Mayor Sarah Rusell, 44 young people and members of Leicester City rights and participation at Town Hall. Kamal Adatia, Lead Barrister for the city led the collective oath before each young person was presented with a certificate and photographed with the mayor.
Rights and participation in the city are highly valued due to 25% of the city’s population being under 19.
“Participation is about giving young people the opportunity to have their voices heard and to support them to make decisions for themselves.
For children and young people there are very clear laws which say they should have a right to participate. Article 12 of The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says every young person has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them and to have those views considered and taken seriously”
Leicester City Rights and Participation Service
The young people’s council will start meeting regularly with decision makers such as planners and scrutiny committees to ensure they have a say on changes that will affect their lives now and in the future.