How will young people, secondary school students or pupils in the upper primary school years cope in the role of city councillors? What topics are they interested in in cities? What are their concerns? And how would they propose to solve them themselves? We learned all this in the framework of the project “Students in the regions discussing with councillors”. And more importantly, local councillors in several towns learned about it as well, meeting with students as part of the project.
Students in the regions discuss with representatives
The project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, was implemented from August 2019 to July 2022 and involved more than 540 young people aged 13-19 from secondary and primary schools in several regions of the Czech Republic. 16 people aged 18-30 took part in the project as trainers. The last group involved in the project were decision-makers, with more than 55 participants.
Project objectives:
– To develop the knowledge and skills of secondary and upper primary school students in the practical functioning of politics at the local level.
– To develop young people’s ability to express and discuss their opinions in a cultured way and how to obtain information about a real situation or problem in the community.
– To facilitate a dialogue between decision makers in the target cities and the students so that the councillors can find out information about the perspective of young citizens of the city on real situations or problems in their area
Activities implemented:
The young participants developed their knowledge, skills and attitudes in a two-day programme as follows:
On the first day of the programme, the participants were introduced to the project, an initial evaluation was carried out, an activity with a discussion about the relationship to democracy and the role of the individual in a democratic society was held, the participants were introduced through several activities to information about the functioning of institutions in municipal politics and the possibilities of citizen participation, they were also given the basics of sociological research methods, a discussion about specific situations and problems in their city was held and they had the opportunity to evaluate the programme so far, or to discuss the results of the programme. The participants were able to evaluate the programme, evaluate the programme and have an opportunity to influence the shape of the future day by means of an evaluation. In addition, the students attended an actual city council meeting or watched it from a recording if the meeting was not held at a convenient time.
On the second day, the programme took place in the city hall or other suitable representative premises. After an initial reflection on the previous day’s City Council meeting, the participants divided into four or more fictitious political parties, which chose issues or topics relevant to their city according to their own preferences. Each time, they developed one idea into a detailed draft resolution, while another was prepared as an interpellation to the city leadership. The groups, with the support of tutors and city representatives, discussed the issues in detail and prepared their own strategies to address them. Each party was then given the opportunity to learn about the other parties’ upcoming proposals so that they could plan their own position and questions for their colleagues. In the final part of the program, a simulated council meeting, students were in the role of representatives. They presented their proposals, discussed and voted on them, then presented their interpellations to the city representatives present. This session was chaired by one of the city representatives. At the end of the program, time was devoted to reflection.
Project outputs:
The project produced methodological and educational materials that can be used by teachers or other educators. These materials are available here.
You can read about the main themes and issues that interested young people in the project in the final press release available here. More detailed information on the outcomes of each programme is available in the summary document here.
They have written about the project and the programme: Secondary School in Čáslav, Media in Čáslav, Žatec Gymnasium, Ústí nad Labem Region, Litoměřice Gymnasium, Frýdek-Místek Media, Sedlčany Gymnasium and Business Academy, SPŠ and OA Kladno, city of Ústí nad Orlicí, SŠ of business Vysoké Mýto, gymnasium Vrchlabí, primary school Demlova Jihlava.
In case you are interested in the programme and would like Agora CE to implement it for young people in your town or school, check out the offer and contacts on the page dedicated to the Student Simulated Council programme.
Implemented student councils:
In Liberec, the programme was held for students from the Jeronýmov Gymnasium in Liberec. Thank you very much for the active participation of the students. We would like to thank the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union for its support in the framework of the project "Students in the regions discussing with representatives". For the cooperation of the management of the Liberec Region and the Jeronýmova Gymnasium.
The program was implemented for students of VOŠ, SPŠ and OA Čáslav. The students were passionate and the mayor, deputy mayor and secretary were inspiring. An ideal combination. Among other things, we learned from young locals and those from across the country who commute to school here what they miss in Čáslav. 🤔
Students in the city lack, for example, a place where they could meet, study, have fun, create something, get inspired or just wait for a bus to where they live. However, representatives of the local government indicated that they are already thinking about some variant of such a community center. Some would appreciate a multi-purpose sports hall. With this idea, the students had the opportunity to see how expensive and actually tricky a plan it can be from the point of view of spatial planning. There were many ideas and thoughts. The representatives of Čáslav themselves admitted that they missed such a dialogue with young citizens and want to continue it in the future.
The event took place as part of the project Students in the regions discuss with representatives, which is co-financed by the European Union's Erasmus+ program.
Students in the city lack, for example, a place where they could meet, study, have fun, create something, get inspired or just wait for a bus to where they live. However, representatives of the local government indicated that they are already thinking about some variant of such a community center. Some would appreciate a multi-purpose sports hall. With this idea, the students had the opportunity to see how expensive and actually tricky a plan it can be from the point of view of spatial planning. There were many ideas and thoughts. The representatives of Čáslav themselves admitted that they missed such a dialogue with young citizens and want to continue it in the future.
The event took place as part of the project Students in the regions discuss with representatives, which is co-financed by the European Union's Erasmus+ program.
19.-20.4.2022 jsme realizovali program studentské simulované zastupitelstvo pro dvě třídy gymnázia v Žatci. Studenti se dozvěděli, jak v Žatci funguje politika na komunální úrovni. Vytvořili několik vlastních politických stran, která se každá věnovala jednomu tématu. Strany se jmenovaly: Zástupci sportu dětí a mládeže, Kulturní organizace, Síla žateckého lidu, Žatec plus, Nestranní ekologové, Koalice kultu kultury, Spolu pro veřejnost. Své nápady pak studenti diskutovali také se starostkou města Zdeňkou Hamousovou.
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In Bakov nad Jizerou, a program was held on June 6-7 for two classes of the local elementary school. On the first day, two lecturers worked with each class individually, and the students worked individually in small groups on their own proposals for improving the city. Mayor Radim Šimáně and other representatives gradually cooperated with both groups of students, and in the final part of the program, the mayor chaired a simulated meeting at which both groups of students met for a joint meeting. The meeting focused on the following topics: increasing support for sports club activities in Sokolovna, reconstruction of the cinema in Bakov nad Jizerou, implementation of a playground with an artificial surface in the area of the Bakov football field, reconstruction of the "tree planting" event, organization of a Streetfood/music festival, and increasing support for cultural events in Bakov nad Jizerou.
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In Bakov nad Jizerou, a program was held on June 6-7 for two classes of the local elementary school. On the first day, two lecturers worked with each class individually, and the students worked individually in small groups on their own proposals for improving the city. Mayor Radim Šimáně and other representatives gradually cooperated with both groups of students, and in the final part of the program, the mayor chaired a simulated meeting at which both groups of students met for a joint meeting. The meeting focused on the following topics: increasing support for sports club activities in Sokolovna, reconstruction of the cinema in Bakov nad Jizerou, implementation of a playground with an artificial surface in the area of the Bakov football field, reconstruction of the "tree planting" event, organization of a Streetfood/music festival, and increasing support for cultural events in Bakov nad Jizerou.
On two days, June 8-9, students of the Krkonoše Gymnasium from Vrchlabí focused on the topic of municipal politics. Various newly founded political parties chose locally specific topics for detailed elaboration: the KLOBOUK party: Proposal for improving the environment at the bus station, the Green Children party: Proposal for the reconstruction of the city park, the For the Deparatization of Kačák party: Proposal for the creation and implementation of a project to revitalize the Kačák pond, the Party for Equality of Roads and Citizens: Proposal for submitting an application for the construction of a traffic light at the crossing near the gymnasium, the Building Block party: Proposal for the reconstruction of specific unused buildings, a project for starter apartments. The students discussed their proposals with two representatives of the city of Vrchlabí.
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The simulation took place in Slaný for students of the local grammar school. Again on the second day of the program, the students met with four city representatives, with whom they discussed the following topics: Revitalization of public space in the city, modification of bus stops in the city, frequency of intercity bus transport, measures to reduce crime in problem urban areas. Their simulated council was then chaired by Deputy Mayor Radek Vondráček in the hall of the MC Grand cultural facility.
A simulated council program was held for students of the Secondary School of Business in Vysoké Mýto from 31.5.-1.6. The topics that the students discussed during the simulated council held in the social hall of the M-club were diverse. The Modernization of the Czech Bus Station (MČAN) party focused on modifications around the local station. The Better Future for People (LBPL) party advocated for more seating at bus and train stops. The EKObordel (EKOb) party set as its topic a solution to the problem of disorder in the city. The AADA party focused on the safety of the city. The NE movement discussed the topic of building a sports center. And finally, the Incorrect Europe! (NE) party focused on securing housing estates and protecting the people.
On June 2-3, a student mock council for elementary school students in Hostinné took place. In addition to learning a lot about municipal politics, the students had the opportunity to discuss topics that were most important to them in the city. City representatives worked with the students on detailed proposals for the following topics: expanding the camera system in Hostinné, purchasing space for a restaurant, placing recycling bins, building a basketball court, and expanding and improving the city police in Hostinné.
On Thursday and Friday, May 18-19, a simulation of the city council was held in Kladno, attended by students from the Secondary School of Construction and the Business Academy. In the two-day program, the students learned how municipal politics works and also tried out the role of city councilors on their own, and also collaborated with city councilor Lukáš Hanes on the program.
Two simulations were carried out in Ústí nad Orlicí. From May 23 to 24, a program was held for one class of students from a local grammar school. The next day, they were joined by four representatives of the city administration or city office, with whom the students consulted their ideas for improvements in Ústí. Interesting topics and problems that the students identified were the following: safety in the city, subways, waste management, interest in more events in the city, clutter in parks, space for spending free time, more greenery and infrastructure. As part of the program, the students addressed, for example, topics of greater safety for women and citizens in the city. The simulated student council on Tuesday was chaired by Deputy Mayor Pavel Svatoš.
In Ústí nad Orlicí, a simulation was held for the second grade of the local grammar school on May 24-25. The students' proposals addressed the following topics: improving the city, revitalizing the park, introducing waste sorting bins in the city, and changing the zoning plan for apartment construction. The group of students was joined by four councilors the next day, and their simulated council was chaired by Deputy Mayor Jiří Preclík on Wednesday.
On May 10-11, there was a simulation in Česká Skalica, where our lecturers worked with second-grade elementary school students and four city representatives, including Deputy Mayor Gabrielová Jiránková. The local students chose solutions such as completing cycle paths, creating a multifunctional leisure center, improving the traffic situation in several places in the city, purchasing more cameras and increasing the number of police officers, building new public toilets, or providing vending machines for the elementary school building.
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The simulated council program in Frýdek-Místek was attended by students from three local elementary schools – Scio School, Jan Čapek Elementary School and Pionýrů Elementary School. Topics that the students in the city identified as important were, for example: transport, sports, environment, reconstruction, ecology in the city, few benches, homeless people. Young people from Frýdek-Místek discussed their ideas with city representatives Mrs. Ubíková and Mr. Jelínek.
On May 16-17, a simulation was held in Sedlčany for students of the local grammar school. The representatives - students - addressed the following topics in their proposals: buying and strengthening the surface of the parking lot behind the grammar school, improving the school cafeteria, building a swimming pool, the problem of invasive waterfowl, using the Dolina area, reconstructing the falconry, and building a new amusement park and center in the city.
A simulated student council for students of the Business Academy in Ústí nad Labem took place on April 26-27, 2022. The students met and collaborated with five representatives of the Ústí nad Labem Region, with whom they worked on several topics whose development in the region the students would like to support: safety, sports, culture, and the environment.
May 4-5. Students from the Litoměřice grammar school collaborated with five city representatives on the program, their student meeting was chaired by the mayor. Young people in Litoměřice consider the issues of affordable housing, parking, and safety at pedestrian crossings to be the most pressing issues to be resolved.
On May 9-10, we lectured on a simulation in Úpice, attended by third-year students of the Úpice Municipal Gymnasium. The students appreciated that they could also consult their ideas with the mayor of the city, Petr Hron, who also led the student council meeting in the municipal hall in Úpice. At the meeting, the students discussed the topic of theater reconstruction, strengthening security, e.g. by increasing the number of police officers and cameras, building new bus stops, and ideas for improving study conditions at the Municipal Gymnasium.
A program for students of the Jihlava Demlova Elementary School took place in Jihlava on June 14-15. Young people had the opportunity to learn about how municipal politics works not only in their city. As part of the program, six new student political parties were created with the names: Benefits of State Freedom (BSS), Party of Education and Justice (SVS), We Keep the Stations Healthy (UNZ), Party of Five Trees (SPS), Let It Be (NVM), MAHAMA. These parties then discussed their ideas and opinions with several city representatives and also with the mayor of the city, Mrs. Karolína Koubová.
In Český Brod, a one-day program for students from the local Tyršova Elementary School was first held on March 10, followed by a two-day program on May 15-16. The students worked independently in workshops and on their proposals, and in the last part of the simulated council meeting, they met with city representatives as well as their peers from the other school in the city - Žitomířská Elementary School. At the final meeting of the simulated council, the students addressed the following topics: preventive programs for schools and the public, making public places accessible and renovating, recruiting security forces, camera systems, building security cameras, recruitment contributions for new police officers, launching a project to build a center for drug addicts, demolishing a building on the ZZN campus, purchasing land for a cycle path, creating a cycle path project, building a swimming pool or swimming pool, building a sidewalk and crossing, securing Žižkova Street - implementing a new crossing, renovating the crossing from Komenského Street, placing new lamps, purchasing a car for technical services, implementing an incentive plan for waste sorting for citizens.
For the second school, a second separate one-day program was held in Český Brod on March 11. This time, it was for students from the Žitomířská Elementary School. This program was followed up with a two-day program on May 15-16. The students worked independently in workshops and on their proposals, and in the last part of the simulated council, in addition to city representatives, they also met with their peers from the second school in the city - the Tyršova Elementary School. At the final meeting of the simulated council, the students addressed the following topics: preventive programs for schools and the public, making public places accessible and renovating, recruiting security forces, camera systems, building security cameras, recruitment contributions for new police officers, launching a project to build a center for drug addicts, demolishing a building on the ZZN campus, purchasing land for a cycle path, creating a cycle path project, building a swimming pool or swimming pool, building a sidewalk and crossing, securing Žižkova Street - implementing a new crossing, renovating the crossing from Komenského Street, placing new lamps, purchasing a car for technical services, implementing an incentive plan for waste sorting for citizens.
Are you interested in our work?
For more information, please contact magda.podsednikova@agorace.cz
email: monika.durajova@agorace.cz
