Educating leaders of the future

AN education program on democracy, having a positive community impact, and persuasive public speaking will be run for the benefit of the City’s youth ambassadors.

Those within the Ballarat Youth Ambassador Program will take part in workshops run by the Eureka Centre and the City to boost their understanding of leadership, culture, facilitating projects and events, communications and media, and develop their networks and presentation skills.

City of Ballarat deputy-mayor Cr Amy Johnson said participants will present to an audience at the conclusion of their final meeting, speaking about a local issue affecting young people.

“Helping our youth learn how to persuasively voice their ideas, beliefs and arguments is a skill they will be able to harness and use to the benefit of not only representing their own demographic moving forward, but also for the broader community,” she said.

“The City of Ballarat is very much invested in the mentoring and facilitation of our youth ambassadors, and to have young people so passionate about being involved in their community is a real asset.

“As a youth ambassador, having the opportunity to practice your public speaking skills and being able to collaborate to pitch an argument and receive feedback from others will help build personal learning and confidence.”

Members of the Ballarat Youth Ambassador Program are community members who seek to highlight and advocate for the needs, perspectives, and initiatives of their local peers.

The ambassadors are involved in events within the community, work collaboratively on a project to benefit youth, and are consulted by the City.