In early October, Macon-Bibb County and Middle Georgia State University hosted the Third Annual Youth Leadership Summit in the University’s Student Life Center. This year’s Summit included a dedicated symposium for Youth Advisors, two days of sessions for youth leaders, and working with youth leaders from Japan.
More than 100 students in youth leadership programs (including the Macon-Bibb County Youth Commission) worked on team building through classroom learning and other activities, strengthened their connection to local government, explored diverse careers, tested decision making skills as elected officials, and learned what to expect while preparing for life after high school. Speakers included representatives from governments in Georgia and South Carolina, from Macon-Bibb and Middle Georgia State University, and state and national organizations.
Click here to see pictures from this year’s Summit.
“We wanted the youth of our state to grow as leaders and as colleagues, both within their high schools now and in the future as they transition to college and later as leaders in their communities,” says Charles Coney, Macon-Bibb County Assistant County Manager.
The two-day event began with a Youth Advisor Summit where advisors learned more about best practices in connecting youth to government, how to focus government efforts on children, how working with children can strengthen a community, and about other cities’ youth leadership programs. Students – during their sessions – got a tour of Middle Georgia State University’s campus, learned what it means to be a youth leader, met the youth leaders from Japan, discussed career readiness in the 21st Century, participated in leadership activities led by national organizations, and more.
After the Summit was over, the Macon-Bibb Count Commission welcomes youth leaders from Japan with a reception at Government Center. These students were from Oita Uenogaoka High School in southern Japan and were in Macon-Bibb County and Georgia as part of the 26th Japan-America Grassroots Summit, which was held October 4-11.
About the Macon-Bibb County Youth Commission
For the past four years, Bibb County (and now Macon-Bibb County) has worked with students through its Youth Commission, which is part of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students (GCAPS).
The cohort of 30 sophomores, juniors, and seniors from nine public and private schools was selected after an extensive application and interview process. They were introduced to the community, county leadership, and the media at an Orientation on August 30 at the Cox Capitol Theatre in Downtown Macon-Bibb. The student leaders then participated in a Swearing In before the Macon-Bibb Commission at its regular meeting on September 6. To see who was selected to this year’s cohort, check out the Youth Commission’s Facebook page.
Students in the Macon-Bibb Youth Commission get to see how government works, what’s changing through consolidation, and how they can be involved with and improve the community now and in the future. Throughout the course of the year, students take part in team-building exercises, attend Commission meetings, tour county facilities, visit the State Capitol, and interact with local and state leaders.
Pictures from their visits can be seen on their Facebook page. Below are some videos and stories produced by the Office of Public Affairs about their visits around Macon-Bibb, the state, and the country.
Annual student leadership award presented
Student leaders learn about airport’s economic impact
Student leaders visit Washington, DC to learn about federal government
Annual Follies raises money for student leadership program
Student leaders visit water treatment plant at Javors Lucas Lake
About ACCG
ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs. Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties. For more information, go to www.accg.org.
About the Japan-America Grassroots Summit
The 26th Japan-America Grassroots Summit is jointly organized by the John Manjiro Whitfield Commemorative Center for International Exchange (CIE) in Japan and The Japan-America Society of Georgia (JASG) with support from the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International Affairs. It is held alternatively in the United States and Japan each year. The Summit aims to strengthen the peaceful relationship between Japan and the United States by fostering grassroots friendships through a one-week cultural exchange program for all ages.
This year’s Summit will showcase Georgia’s local attractions, unique culture and customs, and special business opportunities to more than 150 visitors from Japan and over 300 American hosts. With 25 years of history and more than 40,000 Japanese and Americans participating, the Grassroots Summit is one of the most enduring and important bilateral international exchange programs.
After taking part in tourist activities in Atlanta for three days, Japanese participants will live with host families and experience the American lifestyle in “Local Session” activities in the surrounding host communities for three days. Among the Japanese guests attending will be students from the still-recovering area of Fukushima through the efforts of the U.S.-Japan Council’s Tomodachi Initiative. Homestays are being arranged in fifteen communities: Alpharetta/Milton, Athens, Columbus, Dahlonega, Decatur, Dublin, Elberton, Fitzgerald, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Newnan/Chattahoochee Hills, Peachtree City, Rome/Floyd County, and Roswell.