Empowering youth to shape education’s future

Junior and senior high school students can have their voices heard by applying to join the Education Minister’s Youth Council.

About 40 students from across Alberta will be selected for the 2021-22 Minister’s Youth Council, giving them a unique opportunity to provide direct input to the minister reflecting their diverse interests, backgrounds and perspectives on education issues. Students can apply on the Alberta Education student engagement page by March 24.

“While facing the challenges of COVID-19, the current youth council has done outstanding work and provided important perspectives to me — on the pandemic, mental health, technology and so much more. Student voices are critical to our education system, and I can’t wait to meet the young Albertans on next year’s council.”

Council members serve a 10-month term starting in September and ending in June 2022, and meet with the Minister of Education and Alberta Education staff in three weekend conferences. They will also have opportunities to interact with fellow council members outside of meetings. COVID-19 safety precautions will be taken as required, which may mean virtual meetings.

Youth council members will:

• share their perspectives with the minister
• build positive working relationships
• work with each other and Alberta Education staff to provide input on education initiatives
• participate in leadership opportunities, such as identifying goals and supporting one another to achieve them

Applicants should be in junior and senior high school and be between the ages of 14 and 19 as of Sept. 1, 2021. Up to eight of the 40 students selected can be returning council members.