Local student to sit on Minister’s Youth Council for second year

A local student is looking forward to making a difference with the provincial government as part of the Minister’s Youth Council.

Fahd Mohamed, a Grade 12 student at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, has been accepted for a second school year to the program, which includes about 40 students from across the province with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives.

“We meet three times a year with the first and last meeting taking place in Edmonton, and the second meeting taking place over Zoom,” said Fahd. “Over the weekend we work with the Minister (of Education) for legislation, we have a First Nations and Metis representative come in, we listen to lectures about public speaking and policy making, and other topics.”

The students take part in a number of engagement initiatives that empower them as leaders of their learning; provide opportunities to build positive working relationships with education partners; engage as leaders of change in their communities; support leadership development; and honour their capability and capacity to engage as authentic education partners.

“Throughout the day, we go into groups and have various discussions. The Minister’s members' goal was to gather as much information as they can over the weekend, and develop an idea that we would talk with the Minister face-to-face about on the last day,” said Fahd. “The Minister hears our ideas, writes them down, and then proposes them to his higher ups.”

One of the topics the Minister’s Youth Council discussed last year was restricting cell phone and social media use in schools. “Our input had some influence on the current cell phone policy,” said Fahd. “So that is really cool to see.”

Last year, Fahd also got a tour of the Legislature, including the Minister of Education’s office.

“It’s very nice to see a very professional and high viewpoint about Canada. It’s not every day that you get to talk face to face with an MLA, a Minister or a Prime Minister,” he said.

Looking ahead to this year, Fahd said he is looking forward to putting himself out there more and expressing his thoughts and ideas.

“Everyone has something to offer. Because I am in a bigger city, I might not have the same opinions as someone coming from a smaller city who does not have the same opportunities. But there might be things that I miss about a smaller city that has things that we don’t,” said Fahd. “It’s an experience that is very rewarding. You start to feel like you have great ideas and a voice. Everyone can do things to help the province. More people should apply for programs like this. You get to influence something bigger than you.”