Uiwang City Council Holds Communication Meeting with Youth Participation Committee

Uiwang City Council in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 20th that it held a "Communication Meeting with the Uiwang City Youth Participation Committee" to reflect the authentic voices of local youth in municipal administration and to share democratic values.

The meeting, held on the 19th, was attended by Council Chair Seo Chang-su, five city council members, and 14 student representatives from the Uiwang City Youth Participation Committee.

During the meeting, participants engaged in candid discussions about local issues experienced by youth and explored practical policy alternatives.

The event was conducted as a program allowing youth to directly experience the roles and functions of local councils. Participants toured major council facilities including the main chamber, subcommittees, and meeting rooms, examined spaces where actual decision-making occurs, and deepened their understanding of the overall legislative activities, including council operations and the ordinance-making process.

In particular, the event gained added significance by departing from the existing passive participation format and providing a presentation time in which representatives of the Youth Participation Committee directly introduced their activities and achievements. Student representatives detailed local community issues from the youth perspective and activities they had undertaken to address them.

During the subsequent Q&A and suggestion session, youth representatives actively proposed local issues they had experienced and improvement measures, engaging in lively discussions. Students presented ideas including expanding cultural and welfare infrastructure for youth and broadening communication with the council.

In response, council members expressed empathy regarding the shortage of spaces for "rest" and "play" and pledged to reflect the suggestions in policy.

The city council plans to expand communication channels with various sectors and implement an "open council" and "communicative governance" that all citizens can experience.

Council Chair Seo Chang-su said, "I could see a bright future for Uiwang City in the sight of youth, the leaders of tomorrow, taking direct interest in municipal administration and presenting creative opinions," and added, "I will do my best to ensure that the valuable opinions proposed at today's meeting do not remain as mere suggestions but lead to actual ordinance enactment and budget allocations."