Karlstad municipality has taken a significant step to increase youth influence in local government by hiring two high school students to coordinate the city's youth council work. According to reports from SVT Värmland, Laith Alkeddeh, 18, and Matilda Nyström, 17, both high school students, have been employed by the municipality since February to coordinate the Karlstad youth council, which meets once a month. These responsibilities were previously handled by an older municipal employee.
' Separately, Ebba Andersson, 18, has reportedly been elected as the new chairperson of Karlstad's youth council, which has served as a bridge between young people and adults in the city for 25 years. Andersson expressed her commitment to strengthening young people's voices within the municipality during her one-year term, noting that she believes local politicians may not fully understand what young people think about various issues.
increases youth influence even more
There are very many occasions where adults administer and have main responsibility in contexts where I believe young people should have it
she believes local politicians may not fully understand what young people think about various issues