Orkney Youth Conference Takes Place in Kirkwall

The Youth Conference, organised by the Council’s Community Learning and Development Service, has brought together 80 young people from across Orkney to take part in workshops and hear from keynote speakers on a range of issues.

The conference was opened by Council Convener Harvey Johnston, who said he was truly delighted and privileged to be at the conference, amongst Orkney's young people. He continued: "Our young folk are Orkney's greatest asset and I'm expecting great things from you all.  Not just today at this conference, but in your lives to come."

Taking to the stage next was keynote speaker John Loughton. John is a high profile and award winning global youth leader, social entrepreneur, campaigner and leadership speaker. He is founder and CEO of global leadership company Dare2Lead. In 2007 he was elected the youngest ever Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. 

Closing remarks will be made this afternoon by Tim Frew, Chief Executive of Youth Link Scotland, which is the national agency for Youth Work in Scotland.

Workshops for the day are:

• Who Cares? Scotland – a national voluntary organisation, working with care experienced young people and care leavers.
• See Me – Scotland’s programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.
• Money for Life – a financial education programme delivered by Youth Scotland
• Respect Me – working to create a respecting, just, equal and inclusive Scotland in which all children and young people can live free from bullying and harassment.

Cheryl Rafferty is a Community Learning and Development Officer with Orkney Islands Council. She said: "Every two years, Community Learning and Development (CLD) organise and run the Orkney Youth Conference. The conference is held to give young people space and time to meet with their peers and discuss issues that are of importance to them in their everyday lives. It also provides an opportunity for young people to interact with youth focused organisations from across the county.

"In recent years we have worked in partnership with members of the Orkney Youth Workers Forum to deliver a comprehensive, meaningful and fun day where young people have an opportunity to discuss, with both peers and agency representatives, a range of topics and issues relevant to them. We have a fantastic array of workshops on offer for young people at the event and it looks set to be a really great day."