Last Thursday, Congressman John Larson and Connecticut's First Congressional District Youth Cabinet hosted A Forum on Youth Engagement at the Legislative Office Building. Speakers included members of the Youth Cabinet, Larson, Governor Dannel Malloy, Secretary of State Denise Merrill, Thaddeus Ferber of the Forum for Youth Investment, and Chair of the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council Alex Wirth. The forum included discussion about engaging youth and how governments, non-profits, and companies can establish youth advisory groups. You can watch a recording of the forum on Connecticut Network (CT-N). 
In 2008, Congressman Larson formed the Youth Cabinet "comprised of two students from each high school within Connecticut’s First Congressional District....[to provide] a unique and valuable perspective on shaping American policy." The first group of its kind, the Youth Cabinet model has been adopted by many Congressional leaders across the county. Over the past few years, Larson has been working to form a similar cabinet to serve as advisor to the President, and at the August 29 Forum he announced his plans to re-introduce a U.S. House of Representatives resolution calling for the establishment of a Presidential Youth Council. Like Congressman Larson and the Youth Cabinet, the Stowe Center believes that each person has a voice and the ability to create change. Our school programs, in particular, engage students in conversations about issues important to them, and help them realize that they can follow the legacy of Harriet Beecher Stowe by speaking up and fighting against injustices - they too have a voice and can take action. We applaud the effort to establish a Presidential Youth Council, and hope that you will "Like" their Facebook page and ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor the resolution.
"The perspectives of our youth should be an essential part of shaping policy that directly impacts them. That's why a Presidential Youth Council is so important...I urge Members to join me in support of this resolution to truly create a government of the people, by the people, and for the people."
- Congressman John Larson
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