11 December 2023
The first youth-friendly version of Jersey's current Government and Ministerial Plans have been published today, to coincide with the States Assembly debate.
The new documents have been created following months of engagement and consultation with government officials, ministers, children, and young people. Youth-friendly versions of the Government Plan were a recommendation from Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.
The Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, expanded this to include youth friendly versions of all Ministerial Plans.
Last month, 14 primary schools and six secondary schools gathered for the School Council Network workshop on 'Why Politics Matters', which included a briefing on the government's youth-friendly plans.
Minister for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said: “Following months of hard work, consultation, and engagement, I'm delighted to share our first youth-friendly versions of the Government and Ministerial Plans with Islanders. We have ensured there was meaningful engagement with children and young people that aligns with Jersey's Participation Standards.
“It's vital that we have the right standards and structures in place when we consult and engage children and young people and these youth-friendly versions are just the start of this process.
"We're developing engagement and participation strategies with the school council network, early years and care experienced children and young people among other groups to inform future Government Plans."
Deputy Louise Doublet, Assistant Minister for Children, Young People, Education, said: “We want to ensure that the voices of all children and young people are heard – especially seldom heard voices – and that they are given an opportunity to have a say.
“Participation is not a one-off event or a tick-box exercise to say that children and young people have been consulted. Participation is a two-way process. It's vital that children and young people have all the information that they need before they are asked to share their views. They also should have a safe space to share their views, have a choice on whether to participate and more importantly they need to have feedback on how their voices have helped to make a difference."
Feedback from Samarés School Council, on the youth-friendly Government “Money Plan", included:
“We approved the tax on smoking as we felt it would stop people smoking, which is important to us."
“Fuel tax is important to the environment as it might stop people from using their cars."
However, some disagreed and said: “Some people need to use their cars to get to work and the buses are not regular enough to get people to work and school on time, so it will just mean more people have to spend more money rather than stop using cars."
One child suggested the amount of fuel that can be bought should be limited rather than raise the cost, as he felt some people can afford to buy as much fuel as they want regardless of the cost.
The school council all agreed that the amount of money planned to go towards the environment was not enough and this should be more of a priority than it is.
Several children felt “more money should be spent on helping people who live in poverty and don't have enough food to eat."
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