$471 000 TO PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE

The 2016-2021 Youth Action Strategy

Bishop’s University has received $471 000 in financial support over three years to organize the Bishop’s Forum. The event, which runs until August 18, is aimed at English-speaking Secondary V, college and university students. It is focusing on the themes of citizenship, community involvement, philanthropy, the environment, the political system, the media, entrepreneurship, the social economy, and parliamentary committees. It falls within the scope of the key objective of The 2030 Québec Youth Policy focusing on citizenship to encourage a commitment by young people to culture, the community and society.

“I would like to pay tribute to the initial Bishop’s Forum in my region, which is contributing to training youth committed and prepared to build a fair, prosperous Québec and in which English-speaking youth acquire the requisite skills to engage in active citizenship. In the 2016-2021 Youth Action Strategy, the Québec government is relying largely on civic engagement and citizen involvement among young people. We are proud to see initiatives such as this forum organized for English-speaking youth, whose active participation and leadership are essential to build an inclusive society. I am convinced that the young participants will be enriched by the experience and, above all, better equipped to commit themselves to society.”

Karine Vallières, MNA for Richmond and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier (youth)

“Québec society has everything to gain from involved, motivated, dynamic young people, since they are the leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Indeed, we need them to take their rightful place in Québec’s democratic life. Bishop’s University’s organization of the Forum makes it a key partner of the government in attaining this objective. Together, let us continue to support our young people to give them the means to build a strong, prosperous Québec that resembles them.”

Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec, responsible for youth-related questions

Highlights:

• The first Bishop’s Forum is being held from August 13 to 18, 2017 and will be held annually in August.
• The funds granted by the Secrétariat à la jeunesse are spread over three years, until the end of the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
• The Forum essentially offers:
  • a networking space for English-speaking youth from all over Québec;
  • opportunities for intergenerational dialogue;
  • activities focusing on governance, public administration and participative management;
  • workshops designed to enable participants to acquire technical skills in civic leadership.
• Bishop’s University is one of 18 Québec universities and one of three English-speaking institutions.
• The 2030 Québec Youth Policy sets out youth-related government policy directions to satisfy the needs of today’s young people. It is aimed at Quebecers 15 to 29 years of age and offers a reference framework for the government and its partners in the elaboration and implementation of the entire array of youth-related initiatives. The 2030 Québec Youth Policy has engendered five-year action strategies, including the 2016-2021 Youth Action Strategy.

– 30 –

Source:
Harold Fortin
Director of Communications
Spokesman for the Premier
Telephone: 418-643-5321