Former premiers, students emphasize importance of youth in poltics

By Nancy Kelly

nkelly@berwickregister.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Two former Nova Scotia premiers helped launch the first in a series of Democracy 250 (D250) student meetings designed to engage young Nova Scotians in the democratic process.

One-hundred students from 10 high schools in the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) system began the day long session in Berwick Friday, Feb. 29, by casting their ballots in a mock election where they were polled about the importance of voting.

The D250 initiative -- supported by VOX:Point of Youth, the Department of Education, the AVRSB and Elections Nova Scotia -- is a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of parliamentary democracy in Canada.

In his opening remarks to students, D250 co-chair former premier Dr. John Hamm urged participants to think about the freedoms into which they have been born. “Canadians have many freedoms,” Hamm noted, “among them the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly and the freedom of protest. We have these things because we have the freedom and power to vote.”

Hamm’s predecessor, Russell MacLellan co-chaired the session. “Democracy is a team sport that everyone needs to play to make it work,” MacLellan said, adding that only 25 percent of young adults between 18 and 25 exercise their right to vote. Because voter apathy endangers the democratic system, he urged students not to be discouraged if choices on the ballot don’t appeal to them. “Just by voting you are doing your part to preserve democracy in Nova Scotia and Canada,” MacLellan said.

Students watched a series of ads featuring D250 Youth Ambassadors; previewed “Rant for Democracy,” a thought-provoking video on youth voter turnout; and took part in group discussions where issues included Canada’s role in Afghanistan, crime, health, education and the environment.

Students also had an opportunity to put their questions directly to the D250 co-chairs.

Lee Rayworth from Central Kings Rural High School asked the premiers what they do to help the environment, while Thomas Eaton from West Kings questioned them about the differences between voting for a candidate or along party lines. Cody Baxter from Middleton Regional High School sought some insight about careers in politics, and fellow MRHS student Patrick Briand asked the premiers to offer their comments about Sunday shopping.

Hamm and MacLellan, who went on to lead opposing political parties after establishing a friendship in their university days, were impressed by the “students’ remarkable level of maturity” and “strong engagement and enthusiasm for the topic.”

MacLellan said, “we are learning that young people are concerned about a variety of issues.” He added that the challenge is to “connect the dots” between those concerns and the electoral process.

Videographers were on hand to film the session, which will be included in a mini-documentary on youth and democracy. The documentary, along with a report that summarizes findings on each of the youth town hall sessions, will be shared with Nova Scotians.