Diverse opinions and a plan of action at youth summit
Teen leaders from across California gather to define their priorities -- education, budget reform, immigration, social equality -- and make plans to do something about it.
Matthew Hwa is fed up with the perception that today's young people are only interested in the latest iPhone application and the collection of friends on their Facebook pages. The 16-year-old high school student is taking a hard look at the state of politics in California and is not liking what he sees.
"The politicians," Matthew said, "are going to have to compromise more, ignore what's on their personal agenda and do what's best for the state. They're also going to have to listen up a little bit. We are the next generation of leaders, and we have a voice."
That was the prevailing message Sunday on the closing day of the first California Youth Summit, a gathering of about 175 young people representing the Junior State of America, the California YMCA Youth & Government program and the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project. The event was also sponsored by the Endowment for California Leadership.
High school and college students from throughout the state met over three days at the Sheraton Gateway hotel near LAX to address what they believe are the most pressing political and social issues, with the goal of turning their agenda into political action during the fall election campaign.
The event follows a recent California Youth Poll that found that students are increasingly alienated from and distrustful of state government. Among the 630 respondents, most of them members of the youth organizations, 81% said California is on the wrong track; 63% said they don't trust their elected leaders; and 66% said local and state representatives don't value their opinions.
They were acutely aware of another meeting being held across town, the state Democratic Convention, also in its final day at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Many students at the summit said they hoped to be role models for an older generation of Democrats and Republicans.
