BY LLEYTON SMITH
Newcastle Council has announced the 2022 Youth Week to launch on Monday.
The Youth Week runs from 4th to 14th of April to highlight the contribution of the city's young people through a number of offered programs and activities on offer around the community.
Street art sessions, DJ'ing workshops, a skateboarding and photography program are among some of the activities on offer for the younger generation during Youth Week 2022.
The activities and programs have been made possible after Newcastle Youth Council partnered with a number of organisations including UP&UP Inspirations, Street Art Express, Capture My Community and more.
City of Newcastle and the New South Wales Department of Community and Justice have provided matched funding towards the activities.
The aim of the week is to engage with and acknowledge the role of young people from all backgrounds within the local community.
Young people are encouraged to participate and get involved during the week to not only enjoy the activities on show but also build social skills and learn new things.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen believes it's very powerful to have a week of recognition for the City's youth and important to invest in early engagement of the youth in the hope of future prosperity.
"The UP&UP program, particularly focusing on street art provides new opportunities for young people, as opposed to some of the more concerning trends that exist across society as we've seen an increase in complaints for graffiti across the city," Cr Clausen says.
"This provides a tangible way for young people to be involved in street art and participate in creating something with great value, rather then something that's seen as destructive."
