Helping to find the Highlands' next leaders
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Highlands and Islands Enterprise have hailed the success of an Aviemore conference to find the next generation of leaders.
Thirty young people from the region and Finland attended the national community development conference earlier this week.
The session is part of the Strengthening Communities Conference Scotland 19, being organised by HIE.
The two-day event attracted around 300 people from communities across Scotland, England, Norway and the United States.
As well as the youth agenda, delegates covered a range of hot topics including land ownership, housing, community energy, tourism, culture and heritage, delivery of services and financing.
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell was one of three keynote speakers.
Ms Campbell said: “I was eager to hear from people of all ages across Scotland and from different countries to learn about their experience.
"It’s really important that we listen to young people and understand how we can encourage greater participation from them in community decision making.
"This is a great opportunity for us to support the next generation of community leaders and learn from each other.”
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and Prof Sarah Skerratt director of policy engagement with Scotland’s Rural College, were amongst the other keynotes looking at what drives community development and innovation.
The event includes a marketplace with 40 support organisations and fringe events. Channel 4 News chief correspondent Alex Thomson led delegates through the conference programme.
The theme of the event is ‘Ionnsachadh is fàs le chèile’, 'Learning and Growing Together'.
The conference was supported by the Scottish Government, South of Scotland Enterprise Partnership, Scottish Enterprise, SSE and Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).
CNPA chief executive Grant Moir said: “Following the launch of the Europarc Youth Manifesto last September, the CNPA has committed to establishing a youth council for the park.
"Giving young people from across the park a voice in decision making on the urgent issues of the day from the climate emergency and biodiversity loss to rural services and affordable housing is key to ensuring we have a sustainable and vibrant park in the future."
