KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Young people who want to learn more about their local government, and who want to voice their thoughts on specific questions, will have their chance on Sunday.
Knoxville leaders will host a Youth Forum on Civic Engagement on Oct. 27, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be in the City County Building's Main Assembly Room and the event is designed to engage young people in different ways.
There will be a civic leader panel and an open forum. Ahead of the event, organizers also listed several questions that the Youth Forum is meant to address. Those questions are listed below.
- Do you feel enough civic engagement opportunities are provided to young people?
- Do you feel civic engagement is talked about sufficiently? (In school, afterschool programs, etc.)
- Do you think youth civic engagement opportunities are accessible? (financial, transportation, etc.)
- What do you think are some barriers to youth civic engagement?
- What are some examples of youth civic engagement that are working well?
- Where do you feel your voice is heard?
- What future civic engagement opportunities would you like to see?
Empower Knox, the city's youth initiative, is helping organize the event along with the Mayor's Youth Council. Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said participants in the Youth Forum will be able to work together on local issues.
While it's not required that participants register ahead of the event, organizers said it is appreciated. Anyone with questions about the forum can also reach out by email to Emily Norris, Knoxville's youth engagement manager, with questions. Norris' email is enorris@knoxvilletn.gov.
