Mayor Brenda Stevenson with Young Mayor Thomas Chambers. Included, from left, are Shannon Hay, Ryan Brown, and Lisa Cregan. (Photos – Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
Foyle Youth Council member Thomas Chambers has become the Derry’s first ever Young Mayor.
Selected as one of four candidates who stood for election, Thomas was appointed by majority member vote after each candidate presented their ideas and plans to the other Foyle Youth Council members during the meeting.
A joint initiative between Derry City Council and Western Education and Library Board (WELB) Youth Services, the Foyle Youth Council aims to give young people greater opportunities to have a say in the City in which they live and is committed to ensuring they can express their views and opinions through democratic structures and processes.
Mayor Brenda Stevenson, who attended the meeting, invited the new Young Mayor to “shadow” her and attend a number of civic events over the next ten months.
Mayor Brenda Stevenson congratulates Thomas Chambers on his election as Young Mayor.
Cllr Steveson said: “I am delighted that Thomas has been selected as the city’s Young Mayor, a role which is extremely significant not only within the Foyle Council but also in representing young people across the Derry City Council area. In continuing my role as a Youth Champion,
“Thomas will be in a great position to assist me in reaching out to ensure the policies and decisions are the right ones for the young people and at the same time provide direct feedback on this issues that are affecting them with an ultimate aim of influencing positive change that will benefit all young people within the City.
The Foyle Youth Council is continuing to roll out the Child Rights Charter to organisations throughout the city who work with children and young people for endorsement. The charter is one of the key elements within UNICEF Child Rights Programme, which is a partnership programme with UNICEF UK – the world’s leading children’s organisation.
Mayor Stevenson added: “Derry City Council is the only local authority within Northern Ireland currently taking part in the programme along with five other local authorities from the UK, this charter will outline Council’s commitment to ensuring that Council’s actions are reflective of the needs and rights of children and young people and will be a major milestone in working towards the Council area becoming a ‘Child and Youth Friendly City and District’.
“I am delighted with the progress so far and look forward to continuing to work with the Youth Council and the newly appointed Young Mayor on this and other initiatives.”
Mayor Brenda Stevenson with Young Mayor Thomas Chambers. Seated, on left, Micheal Kavanagh, and, on right, Lisa Cregan. Standing, from left, are Shannon Hay, Ryan Brown, Rachel Lynch, Aoife Donaghey, Holli Collins, Alex Doherty, Mark Giboney, senior youth worker, WELB, and Helen Harley, children and young peoples officer, Derry City Council.
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