St. Paul, MN – The YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will host more than 1,200 students in grades eight through 12 for the Youth in Government conference at the Minnesota State Capitol January 5-8.
At the 69th Youth in Government session, participants take on roles as legislators, lobbyists, lawyers, judges, justices and journalists and spend four days running a state model government at the Capitol Complex. The YMCA’s Youth in Government program allows students to elect their own leaders, debate their own ideas, and build a vision for a strong state.
“Young people in Youth in Government aren’t spectators,” said Orville Lindquist, state program executive for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. “They are leaders, organizers, speakers and decision makers. Participating in Youth in Government gives them the opportunity to spend four days with other young people interested in government and our society - exploring ideas, making new friends, and building the skills to take action in their local communities.”
Amy Anderson, executive director for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice, added, “We’re seeing more and more young people speaking out about issues they care about. If we can make a stronger connection between the topics that kids are passionate about and the systems and processes in which laws and policies are made, then we give kids the tools to transform the world into a better, more just place.”
A hallmark of the YMCA’s Youth in Government is youth leadership. Eighteen youth officers, elected by their peers, will lead all sessions. Approximately 125 appointed officials assist the officers in providing forums for exchange of ideas and respectfully discussing potential solutions.
WHO:
YMCA Center for Youth Voice
WHAT:
Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Conference
WHEN AND WHERE:
January 5-8, 2023
Minnesota State Capitol Complex, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155
Sessions will be held at the Capitol Complex at the following times and offer photo opportunities:
- Friday, January 7, 2023 and Saturday January 8, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 9, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon.
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 167 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across the greater Twin Cities metro region, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities. The 29 Y locations and program sites, eight overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 370,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.