Young people become mentors for decision-makers
Application deadline extended until 16 March - programme is aimed at 18 to 25-year-olds
Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 have until Wednesday 16 March to apply for the Future Mentors Programme. The Future Mentors Programme aims to give them a voice in the debate on the sustainable future of cities. The application form is available at www.chemnitz.de/europa.
In the programme, which Chemnitz has joined alongside numerous medium-sized European cities, young people act as mentors for their mayors. After reviewing the applications received, a group of three to four young people will be selected in each city to work together as mentors for a city leader. The highlight will be participation in the annual meeting of the more than 200 Eurocities in Espoo, Finland, in June.
Mayor Ralph Burghart explains: "More topical than ever, it is important to discuss not only the sustainable development of the future, but especially this in the context of a community, for us in a European community. It is important to involve our young people, the decision-makers of tomorrow, who are already getting involved today in a variety of ways and debating and demonstrating in favour of their values and ideas. I look forward to receiving numerous applications from young people in our city."
In spring, the young mentors will collect the views of other young people from their city on topics they have selected themselves and meet with city leaders. The young people in the programme will support each other and have the opportunity to share their thoughts with other young mentors from across Europe.
Through this reverse mentoring process, they will have the opportunity to share their dreams, hopes and concerns about the future of their city. After all, the decisions that are made now have an impact on the future, and it is the young people who will live in that future.
The Future Mentors programme was launched on 25 January and will culminate in the Eurocities Annual Conference from 8 to 10 June in Espoo, Finland. A young mentor from each city will be represented at the conference together with their city delegation.
The programme is coordinated by the City of Espoo in cooperation with Eurocities. "Our idea is for mayors and young people to dream, act and lead together - to shape cities that work for everyone," says Nicola Vatthauer, Head of Events and Planning at Eurocities.