The RCMP is encouraging young Airdrie and Rocky View County residents to share ideas about issues faced in their community.
The RCMP National Youth Advisory Committee (NYAC) – created in 2008 – is an online program designed for young Canadians to discuss and ultimately help shape RCMP youth strategies and programs, said Cst. Deanna Hagen.
"We want to have a really wide range of perspectives within this advisory committee," Hagen said, adding the program isn't just looking for young people interested in a future career with the RCMP, but diverse voices from all communities.
"We can't grow if we all have the same perspective," she said, adding the RCMP National Youth Services, who select committee members, would like representation from each province and territory.
Previous participants in the program helped create a new national youth strategy, Hagen said, which helps the RCMP focus on priority issues that need to be addressed in the next four years.
"In order to know if we're going in the right direction, we have to have critical input from community members, which includes youth," Hagen said. "And really, that's what this is about. It allows youth to have a voice, to be part of the solution and help guide the RCMP on how we can do our jobs better and set [youth] up for success."
The program is hosted on a private online forum to provide a safe environment for young people across the country to connect and discuss important issues like impaired driving, online bullying and systemic racism, she said.
In previous years, the committee was comprised of 150 youth. Hagan said the number has been reduced to 100 participants to improve youth engagement throughout the year.
Canadian residents between the ages of 13 and 21 are encouraged to apply to the committee, which requires approximately two to four hours of online participation per month from October 2020 to June 2021. Participants will receive a reference letter and 20 hours of community service.
"Having a voice within your community is so essential, not only for the rest of Alberta but for the rest of Canada as a whole," Hagen said.
The first wave of applications are due by July 31, and Hagan said applicants in that batch are more likely to be selected. The deadline for all applications is September 11.
Application packages can be requested via email at [email protected].
Kate F. Mackenzie, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @katefmack
