Pembrokeshire’s Democracy Champions of the future join forces

Young people from Pembrokeshire’s secondary schools recently attended a special event designed to help them become Democracy Champions.

These Democracy Champions will raise awareness of the importance of democracy to everyone’s lives and encourage their peers to register to vote.

Organised by the Electoral Services Team and the Children and Young People’s Rights Office the event focused on what democracy means to the pupils and what impact it has on their everyday lives.

Young people from Ysgol Bro Preseli, Ysgol Harri Tudur, Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Ysgol Caer Elen, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High VC School and Castle School attended the event at Pembrokeshire Archives.

Throughout the day there were a number of activities that aimed to generate ideas and discussion, as well as raising awareness of the rights of young people in Wales to vote in some elections from age 16.

There was a game of democracy bingo, workshops on the history of democracy and why votes matter as well as a mock election and vote, including polling booths, along with discussions on how to get even more young people involved and share information.

They also heard from senior Council staff about the value in voting, with Assistant Chief Executive Richard Brown opening the event and a closing address from Director of Education Stephen Richards-Downes.

There was positive feedback from the young people involved and they will also be helping to shape the resource pack to be made available to all schools for future events.

Senior Youth Worker, Engagement, Performance and Community, Nadine Farmer said: “It was fantastic to meet such an enthusiastic group of young people who will help spread the word of the importance of democracy and using your vote. With the introduction of votes for 16-year-olds for some elections in Wales it is vital that more and more young people get involved in their democracy and understand that democracy is for everyone!

“The information and resources developed at the Democracy Champion events will allow the representatives of each school to hold future events and inform learning for their peers.”

01 Jun 2023