More young voices from the B.C. Interior should have a chance to be heard and give back to their community, according to a local member of the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP).
"Interior kids don't often know they have these opportunities available to them," said Alexandra Dickson, BCYP minister of regional youth parliaments.
Out of the 95 young men and women, aged 16 to 21, who are a part of the provincial program, less than one-third come from the area east and north of Hope, Dickson said.
A Burns Lake native, Dickson has been a member of the group since her application was accepted when she was 16. Now attending the University of Northern British Columbia, the 19-year-old is a member of cabinet who looks forward to returning to Victoria every winter.
The BCYP is a non-partisan, non-denominational organization which plans, fundraises and carries out service projects for other young people.
Members spend time at the B.C. legislature in Victoria between Boxing Day and New Years Eve every year to debate and vote on the organization's proposed activities and issues of local, national and international importance.
The latest session has been dissolved and the group is accepting applications for the new session. B.C. residents between the ages of 16 and 21 are encouraged to apply by Oct. 26 for a spot. Potential members have to have been residents of B.C. for the past year and should be able to commit to a year's worth of service.
"BCYP is education and community service in action," said Jessica McElroy, Premier for the upcoming session of BCYP, in a press release. "We're after young people who want to learn more about our system of government, make life-long friends and take part in projects that benefit our province's youth."
But you don't have to be interested in politics to enjoy time in the youth parliament, said Dickson, who is majoring in biochemistry at UNBC.
For example, one Private Member's Resolution the group debated focused on the introducing member's dislike for the Twilight franchise.
Even the silliest pieces of legislation are run through the proper parliamentary process, by the members who all sit as independents whether as members of the government or opposition. "A lot of people are great debaters," Dickson said
One of the most memorable aspects of the week in Victoria is Question Period, said Dickson. "When you get 95 teenagers in one room and start asking questions about each other without using names, it's pretty fun,' she said.
But, like the real government, being a member of the Youth Parliament is a full-year commitment.
In her role as minister of regional youth parliaments, Dickson has facilitated five groups for about 150 high school students. But she said one of her most rewarding activities was being a part of a summer camp for underprivileged youth.
"It was one of the best experiences I've ever had," she said. "It had a direct impact of people's lives."
The group's activities are sponsored by the Youth Parliament of B.C. Alumni Society, a registered, non-profit organization composed of past members.
For more information on the British Columbia Youth Parliament and the application process, visit their website at www.bycp.org.
