30 Calgary high school students participate in model city council meeting as part of She Governs

30 Calgary high school students participated in a model city council meeting Friday as part of SheGoverns.

She Governs was back at city hall Friday.

It encourages women and gender diverse youth to get involved in politics.

Thirty youth, in Grades 9 through 12, participated in a model city council meeting.

The aim was to show students how municipal government works.

Students debated, proposed amendments to motions and voted on motions to get an idea of the responsibilities of elected officials at city hall.

This year, this council debated public safety and hail resilience.

“These girls get a chance to step into the role of council member or mayor in some special cases,” said She Governs program lead Heba Akrouch.

“They get to debate real life issues, but in a municipal government setting,” Akrouch added, “and have a first exposure to what it’s like to be a decision maker.”

The students also heard from those currently serving in local politics.

This is the seventh year for the She Governs program.