Youths to aid environment
Young innovative minds are set to help the South Waikato’s environment.
The South Waikato YMCA, South Waikato District Council, Waikato Regional Council and Wintec have started a project that will encourage local youths to use science and innovation to solve some of the district’s environmental issues.
South Waikato YMCA executive director Amanda West said a series of workshops will take place in 2018 where youths will identify issues and then work with experts to develop their ideas into prototypes.
‘‘We have some preconceived ideas, such as wanting to improve air quality, but the whole point of this is that it will be youth-led. Youths will come up with the ideas based on what they see as the main issues which will probably be completely different to ours,’’ she said.
‘‘If we get something that is really viable the Waikato Regional Council will then be looking at where to from here.’’
West said local businesses are also being encouraged to get involved to help with the fine tuning of the ideas and their potential production.
‘‘On November 9 we are going to have an initial gathering of youths from 5.30pm until 7.30pm and local businesses from 2.30pm until 4.30pm to try and get them engaged and interested. It’s just to plant the seed to see what next year’s workshops will look like,’’ she said.
She said there was no limit on the number of youths [12-24], who could take part and it is open to anyone in that age group.
‘‘We have got an idea in our heads of how it will work. We will have three or four main groups with a couple of youths steering those and then maybe another 10 that will be part of the team but not necessary leading them,’’ she said.
‘‘It will probably engage 50 to 60 overall but if we have way more that come to the table really excited then that is awesome. It will be completely up to the youths.’’
West said, at the conclusion of the workshops, a symposium will be held [April 12-13, 2018].
‘‘It’s planned for April 12-13. There will be guest speakers and presentations because by then they will have all their ideas on what the issues are and how they think they can fix them,’’ she said.
YMCA youth services assistant Julius Daniels said the YMCA will also be working with local high schools to work out what credits can be gained.
‘‘We are hoping they can be linked back into some of the projects,’’ he said.
West said she was now looking forward to getting the ball rolling.
‘‘It is something completely different, I don’t think it has ever been done before. It will be youth led but it is about everyone partnering together,’’ she said.