By MorinvilleNews.com Staff

Edmonton – The Alberta government is looking for young people with strong leadership skills and a passion for community service to serve on the province’s Youth Advisory Panel for 2010 – 2011. The purpose of the panel is to not only provide government with insight into the challenges facing young people today, but it also provides input into provincial programs designed for children, youth and families, as well as the communities in which they reside.

“We are very excited about recruiting new, enthusiastic members to join the panel,” said Minister of Children and Youth Services, Yvonne Fritz in a release on the recruitment call. “I encourage youth across Alberta to seize this great opportunity to get involved and make their voice heard.”

Since the program began in 2000, the Youth Advisory Panel has contributed recommendations and feedback for a number of provincial initiatives, programs and public awareness campaigns, including input on youth homelessness, mentoring opportunities for high-risk youth and Children and Youth Services’ environmental scan, a program which focuses on issues and trends likely to impact the Ministry over the next five years.

Members of the panel meet approximately five weekends per year. The Youth Advisory Panel, which meets approximately five weekends per year, is the only youth group in Alberta that reports to and is chaired by a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

Membership is open to Alberta youth between the ages of 15 and 22, and as many as 18 members will be selected to serve on the panel for the 2010-11 term. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15.

For more information call 780-415-0085 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000) or visit www.yap.gov.ab.ca.