[Matt.Dean]

Hey everyone,

As some of you may be aware, I'm (in addition to working for my local school board, and running my companies) the Director of Communications and Information Technology for the Peel Region NDP Area Council, a group of New Democratic Party riding associations in the Region of Peel.

I'm putting together an event, and the theme I've been wanting to push is getting youth involved in politics. Youth, for this purpose, is defined as 16-25ish.

A friend and I have been throwing ideas around briefly and are thinking that a concert might be the best way to go about this, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to convince youth that politics is important and can affect them.

Just turned 20 myself last Friday (how time flies!), I've found that most people my age seem to have a care-less attitude in regards to politics.

(On a side note, I really do not understand why people DON'T VOTE!. Youth seem to be one of the bigger groups that doesn't vote....... my feeling is that if you didn't vote, you have no right to complain. I voted in every election (only one thus far though, but our chairman feels another will occur in the fall) as soon as I was old enough and have taken an active role and gotten involved with a party that I support.)

[nicki]

being that i am 16 i figured i should say something...a concert would be a great idea but where would the politics come in??? if theres a talk before or after then we just might not listen cuz we would be too intrested in the concert but i dont have any other ideas of what could be done....public speaking at schools/college w/e i dont really know....just thought i would say

[mpnetwork]

Concerts might interest some people, but I think you'll need to do more to engage youth in politics.

I've always been interested in politics, the issues, the process, the shenanigans... and I think I drive my girlfriend nuts with it But she is interested too (just not on the same level) and always votes.

Different people become interested in politics for different reasons... there has to be a better way to connect with them on a more personal level. Lemme ponder it for a couple days...

[mpnetwork]

You're going to have a good portion of youth that already care about the political process and believe it affects them...

You're going to have a significant number (probably half) of youth that dont care, dont believe the process affects them, and I dont think that attitude will really change until their lifestyle/mindset are adjusted (ie - getting a job, starting a family, etc.)

But there's gotta be 5 - 10% that you can reach... but how...?

* --- Just brainstorming out loud --- *

[nicki]

well i dont really know anything 'bout politics but im getting intrested now...and i really wouldnt know how to catch ppls attention to politics
i just figured that i want to own a business a few days ago...so there you go i dont even know a thing about owning a business so im just begining to get into all of this

[LottomagicZ4941A]

More libertarians are needed.

Less dems and repubs and more libertarians.