What is the Annual Conversation?
The Annual Conversation follows on from the work done for the G7, which came to Cornwall in June 2021. This gave children and young people the opportunity to share their ideas on the future of Cornwall. With thousands of young people taking part in the G7, the Council pledged to keep the conversation going as part of their commitment to recognising the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; particularly their rights:
- to be informed
- to be heard, and
- have their views taken seriously
Why the Annual Conversation is Important
Children and Young People:
- What you have to say matters. You have the right to be heard and to be involved in decisions made about your life
- Getting involved gives you power as well as being likely to improve:
- self confidence
- wellbeing
- your connection with other people and your community
- What you have to say can influence what decisions are made about lots of areas of your life now and in the future. These areas include:
- education
- housing
- jobs
- the environment
Adults:
- To enable children and young people to have the best life chances, to learn skills, develop their knowledge and feel heard and involved
- To learn from children, understand their perspectives and why they feel that way
- To support children and young people to realise their values, passion and voice matters
- Adults have a duty to listen to children, take their views seriously and involve them in decision making
When and where is it taking place?
The Annual Conversation events took place in November 2022 and November 2021. Our next Annual Conversation will be November 2023.
Annual Conversation 2023
We are excited to be able to release the plans for this year's Annual Conversation. The Annual Conversation will be taking place on Thursday 30 November 2023 between 4pm and 8pm at County Hall, Truro.
Annual Conversation Ambassadors 2022, Councillors and Council Officers will be receiving invites to this year's event in early October 2023. Following feedback and experiences from the previous events and linking to Cornwall Youth Council's work, this years event will run slightly differently in that we will also be inviting representatives from children and young people's groups and organisations to be part of this year's Conversation.
On the 30 November, the pledge Working Groups from 2022's Annual Conversation (Ambassadors, Councillors and Council Officers and the children and young people's groups and organisations) in attendance will all have an opportunity to share and celebrate their successes and achievements from the last 12 months. The second half of the evening will be spent looking at priorities for the next 12 months and connecting people up to work together to achieve these.
What can I do?
If you are an organisation who would like to be involved in this year's Annual Conversation, and haven't heard from us already, please get in touch by emailing childrensrights@cornwall.gov.uk
If you are young person wanting to be involved in making a difference in Cornwall, please visit Cornwall Youth Council-Let's Talk Cornwall.
To get involved in Cornwall Youth Council please email:
youthcouncil@cornwall.gov.uk