Young people and community leaders conspired to draft solutions to problems facing Bermuda’s youth during a summit.

A statement said young people collaborated with the Office of the Commissioner of Education and the police during Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Intensive from April 13 to 17.

This training, the first phase of the charity’s Youth Leadership Academy, helps young people voice concerns to adults who work on their behalf.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, recognised four students with the Minister’s Award for Presentation and Advocacy during the programme.

Ms Furbert said: “These young people did not ask to be seen one day — they showed me, with courage and clarity, that they are leaders right now.

“When a student looks you in the eye and says ‘talk with me, not at me,’ you understand that leadership is not a title you hold, it is a choice you make to meet our young people on equal footing.

“Their ideas are valid, their voices are valued and their experiences are important.

“My commitment, and the commitment of this ministry, is simple: we will not only hear them, we will act with them.”

Leila Wadson, Family Centre director of community services, explained: “The level of insight, empathy and leadership shown by this year’s group of young people was incredibly powerful and the adults who joined us this year fully embraced the challenge of building community one interaction, one relationship at a time.”

Students will build on skills learnt during the intensive in the five-month after school and summer programme, Youth Leadership Academy Foundations.

Family Centre thanked all community partners and guest facilitators who lent their expertise during the programme.

Visit tfc.bm to learn more about Family Centre and its programmes.