Latest news with #youthleadership
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
I just want to help, says new 18-year-old councillor
A student who has been elected as a councillor in Lancaster, has told how he made the move out of a desire to make a difference to his community. Eighteen-year-old Wilson Colley will represent the Green Party in the city's John O'Gaunt ward, getting almost double the votes of his nearest rival in the recent elections. He said he joined the party after feeling "very disappointed with the performance of the main parties in government" who were not offering "any real hope of real change". "We're the only party offering a real alternative to austerity", said the first-year law and politics student at Lancaster University. He said: "I found myself doing work with the Greens in John O'Gaunt, particularly helping out in alley cleans and door knocking, asking about issues. "I found out that I really enjoyed this community work and I would like to do it in a more official capacity. "The opportunity came up that we needed a candidate, I stood and got chosen." Wilson, who credited his passion for politics down to his father's influence, continued: "Don't get me wrong it is laborious and at times dull, I don't think anyone on the council can deny that, but it is important so I feel like that justifies the time and effort put in. "I can't say that I will enjoy every aspect of the work - some of it will be gruelling and bureaucratic, but it is necessary and it needs to be done correctly. "By getting in, I can ensure that it is done in that manner." Beyond his current life as a student, Wilson says he has not thought too much about a long-term career in politics. "Ultimately, I want to help my community as best I can, he said. "I want to help advance the Green Party's agenda, so we will see how that leads me in the future." Young people in politics is of course not unheard of. Labour MP Sam Carling was just 22 when he won his seat last year in north-west Cambridgeshire, and Wilson believes young voices in politics is crucial. "There has been less participation amongst the youth, which is a very concerning thing," he said. "We feel the effects of current policy in the long term, whereas many of those in politics may not. "It is crucial that youth have a significant voice on government in every level." On his current to-do list, Wilson admits the issues will be typical of most city councillors. "We've got issues of littering, fly tipping and dog muck. Just standard stuff that we deal with," he said. "I believe politics on a community level is really where change can happen" However, he admits he is not quite yet done with the student life too. "Becoming a councillor has meant that I will sacrifice a fair amount of my spare time, but I'll be sure to make a little bit of time for the student lifestyle." he said. "Even if it is a bit calmer and more civilised". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Labour 'reeling from shock' of losing councillors Sam Carling: Meet the new youngest MP, born in 2002 Reform UK announce new leader of county council
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Don't drag youth wing into PKR deputy president battle, Rafizi told
Selangor PKR Youth chief Izuan Kasim said the main objective of PKR's polls is to invigorate the party's branches ahead of the 16th general election. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Selangor PKR Youth chief Izuan Kasim has urged party leaders not to drag the party's youth wing into the PKR deputy presidential contest. His remarks follow criticism from incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who accused the current youth leadership of lacking the energy and resolve shown by previous generations. In a statement today, Izuan, who is also a candidate for the deputy chief of PKR Youth at next week's election, defended newly elected PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim. Kamil, an aide to party president Anwar Ibrahim in the latter's capacity as the finance minister, won uncontested. 'Instead of questioning why Kamil won unopposed, the real issue is why no one from Rafizi's team stepped forward to challenge him,' Izuan said. 'This election should be a platform to offer leadership, not to create division. 'Let us not forget the main objective – to invigorate the party's branches ahead of the 16th general election.' Izuan added that Kamil's unopposed victory reflected a consensus among division and branch leaders that he was the best candidate to lead the youth wing for the 2025-2028 term. On Wednesday, Rafizi urged the youth wing to revive the 'fighting spirit' of its past leaders, warning that blindly following senior figures would harm the party's future. Over 280 election complaints reviewed PKR election committee (JPP) chairman Dr Zaliha Mustafa said they have reviewed more than 280 complaints related to the party's internal elections. These complaints involved all stages of the election process – from nominations and campaigning to division-level results, reported Bernama 'I deny any claim that we are ignoring the complaints. Every one of them is being reviewed and action has been taken on some,' she said in response to criticism from Rafizi. She described Rafizi's view that the complaints were being mishandled as his personal opinion. Rafizi had earlier accused Zaliha of failing to manage election irregularities at the divisional level. PKR's congress, including elections for the Youth and Wanita wings, will be held from May 22–24 in Johor Bahru. The central leadership elections will be held on May 23. Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah, is challenging Rafizi for the deputy president's post. Rafizi, who is the economy minister and Pandan MP, has said he would quit his Cabinet post and be a regular MP if he lost the post to Nurul Izzah. There are 12 contestants for the four vice-president's posts, including the four incumbents, federal ministers Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Chang Lih Kang as well as menteris besar Amirudin Shari and Aminuddin Harun. Anwar retained the PKR presidency unopposed for his third and final term.
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Adam Adli hopes meteoric political rise won't come crashing next week
Adam Adli's rapid rise in politics saw him go from student activist to PKR's youth wing chief in 2022. PETALING JAYA : Outgoing PKR Youth chief Adam Adli hopes his meteoric rise in politics would not be cut short at the party elections next week, where he is vying for a spot on the central leadership council. The former student activist, who joined PKR in 2021, was made the wing's chief a year later before being named the party's candidate for the Hang Tuah Jaya parliamentary seat in the 15th general election. In December 2022, he was appointed deputy youth and sports minister in the unity government. 'It is a whirlwind political journey which happened over a few years. 'But I do want to avoid an 'easy-come-easy-go' situation,' he told FMT in an exclusive interview. Commenting on the May 23 polls, Adam admitted he was concerned about his chances of climbing the political ladder after failing in his bid to become the Hang Tuah Jaya PKR division deputy chief last month. Adam lost to Zamzizul Nordin, while the prime minister's political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Akin defeated Rafee Ibrahim – Adam's running mate — for the division chief post. However, he is taking that loss in his stride and would rather focus on the positives, adding that winning and losing was part and parcel of politics. 'Losing isn't the end of the world. Instead it inspires me to work harder. It (losing) also provides me the opportunity to reflect on my identity and weaknesses.' Adam said one of the issues he identified during the divisional elections was a lack of preparation when going up against Shamsul and the latter's team. 'So I need to improve on this to ensure I have sufficient support (in future).' Separately, Adam said he will be banking on his three-year experience as the PKR Youth chief to appeal to the delegates who would eventually have a say in whether he sits on the 20-seat council. Among his achievements, which he hopes will be a pull factor, was stabilising the wing's divisions after the 'Sheraton Move' led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020. This was after several of the wing's members defected to other parties. 'Post Sheraton Move, there were around 53 to 57 divisions. Now there are over 200. 'And this was done in such a short span of time as we were scrambling to prepare for a general election.'
ABC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
'Everyone has a place to serve': Elizabeth Kite is empowering the next generation of leaders in Tonga
Tongan youth advocate and activist Elizabeth Kite is reshaping the leadership landscape in the nation. As the founder and CEO of Take The Lead, Tonga's first youth-led organisation, Elizabeth empowers young Tongans, especially women, to step into spaces of leadership, education, and politics. After years of volunteering and the loss of a close family member, the activist told Nesia Daily it all started with wanting to create "an NGO that would empower and educate the next generation of leaders". "We can reshape how leaders would actually tackle issues, especially regarding the people that are most vulnerable in our country." Now seven years strong, Take The Lead has reached hundreds through mentorship, scholarships, and its flagship program She Leads Fale Alea - a mock parliament for women aged 16–29. She Leads Fale Alea 2025 is helping train young women in leadership, civic education, and politics. ( ) This year, 30 young women debated real issues like climate education and Tonga's energy policy, and the outcomes were submitted to MPs to present in Parliament. "They did a phenomenal job in showing Tonga just what young women can do if they're given the opportunity." As the Pacific Regional Representative for the Commonwealth Youth Council, Elizabeth's work has earned her global recognition, including a Queen's Young Leader Award. Elizabeth's message to young people across the Pacific is clear: "Everyone has a place to serve, and I would encourage young leaders to focus on service, over focusing on leadership."
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Prince Harry breaks cover after bombshell BBC interview
Prince Harry has broken cover for the first time since his bombshell interview where he hit out at the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex appeared in Las Vegas to launch his Pledge to Invest scheme in collaboration with the Diana Award, as wife Meghan Markle celebrated young Prince Archie's sixth birthday without him, reports The Sun. It comes just days after Harry let rip in a bombshell BBC interview where he blamed the royal family and dad King Charles over his loss in a long-running legal battle for his taxpayer-funded security. Harry was in Vegas in order to launch the new youth initiative, which is designed as an 'opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to make a strategic, measurable and high-impact investment in the future of youth leadership.' While away, the Duke of Sussex has also met two young recipients of The Legacy Award, which was set up in the memory of his late mum Diana and honours exceptional social action and humanitarian work. 'Through The Diana Award, I've had the privilege of meeting young people who have turned adversity into action. That's not just inspiring — it's the kind of untapped potential we can't afford to overlook,' said The Duke. 'Far too many young people are locked out of leadership pipelines because we've failed to build truly inclusive and accessible pathways. 'This generation isn't waiting for permission to lead — they are already doing it. 'They bring emotional intelligence, social awareness, and an honesty about mental health that previous generations struggled to express.' Speaking directly to the two award recipients, Harry added: 'We're in an era now where we are looking for more companies to be serving the greater good the majority, not the minority.' 'Every single young person has potential. It's just about unlocking that in those individuals,' he added. It means Meghan the kids celebrated Archie's birthday alone at their home in Montecito, California yesterday. The Duchess of Sussex shared a sweet picture of Archie for his birthday on Instagram to mark the occasion. The young prince was snapped leaning on a barrier and wearing striped clothes as he gazes off into the sea, with the sun setting in the background. A halo-like effect is also made by the sun around the young prince's head in the rare snap. This won't be the first time Harry has missed Archie's birthday, after the royal skipped the celebrations two years ago due to his attendance at the coronation of his dad, King Charles. But overhanging his visit to Vegas was his recent outburst made in an interview last week, after he lost his appeal to keep his taxpayer-funded security in the UK. In the scathing attack, the Duke of Sussex unleashed a host of new claims including how dad Charles is no longer speaking to him and how he's 'uncovered his worst fears'. He claimed to want a reconciliation with the royal family, after years of feuding with the Firm, including with his own brother William, ever since Meghan and he stood down as working royals in 2020. In the interview, he said: 'There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,' but he admitted he had finally 'forgiven' them. On top of this, he lashed out at his dad King Charles for 'not speaking' to him. An emotional Harry said: 'He [King Charles] won't speak to me because of this security stuff.' He also chillingly suggested that it would be the Firm's fault if anything happened to him or wife Meghan. Harry admitted he missed the UK and that it was 'sad' he won't be able to show his children his homeland. He said his three-and-a-half year legal battle always mattered more to him than anything else – including his privacy rows with the press. Prince Harry added he had no regrets after repeatedly attacking his family – and admitted 'some will never forgive me'. In response, Buckingham Palace issued this statement: 'All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.' Harry launches new youth initiative Harry will hope that his recent furore will not detract from the launching of his new youth initiative, Pledge to Invest. The scheme is designed as an 'opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to make a strategic, measurable and high-impact investment in the future of youth leadership.' Tessy Ojo, chief executive of The Diana Award, which was set up in tribute to Princess Diana, said: 'Companies that invest in youth leadership today are cultivating the workforce, innovators and consumers of tomorrow. 'The Diana Award is proud to launch Pledge To Invest – an opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to make a strategic, measurable and high-impact investment in the future of youth leadership. 'For over 25 years, The Diana Award has invested in young people, empowering them to tackle the pressing issues of our time.' Paul Fipps, of Service Now, said he is 'proud to partner with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and The Diana Award to provide a platform that encourages other business leaders to invest in young people'.
