Educating children on island-wide voting

Tuesday 06 October 2020

A new video has been created emphasising the importance of young people engaging with local politics, while also showcasing some of the similarities between school elections and the process of becoming a States Deputy.

The video by @TheStates features a 10-year-old student asking questions to Deputy Michelle Le Clerc on island-wide voting and Guernsey’s government.

The @TheStates educational programme, which is available online at www.atthestates.gg, was launched in 2011 by the Ana Leaf Foundation targeting students, teachers and newcomers to the island interested in finding out about Guernsey’s system of government. 

It includes information on how laws are made in Guernsey, what a Deputy does, how to become a Deputy and who can vote, as well as containing a new page specifically on island-wide voting.

A teacher resource pack on island-wide voting has also been produced for schools and includes 'did you know' facts, tasks for students, a quiz and more.

Educating schoolchildren on the political process was the focus of the initiative's latest video, which features 10-year-old La Houguette pupil Seb in discussion with Employment & Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc.

Want to know more about Guernsey’s government? We asked 10 year-old Seb to find out more. In our video he talks to Deputy @mkleclerc about island-wide voting. @GSYElection2020 @Govgg #GuernseyElection2020 pic.twitter.com/ZpKGmdsCsN

— @ The States (@atthestates) October 5, 2020

When Deputy Le Clerc asks Seb how school council elections work and what candidates do to encourage their peers to vote for them, he replies: "Well they basically have to advertise themselves. They have have to put up posters, they tell people what they do and how they do it, they can tell them what they are going to do."

Replying to that, Deputy Le Clerc explains that is very similar to how Deputies are elected, just on a different scale.

Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, who has been integral to the initiative, said the @The States resource pack has been a great aid to help young people learn how Guernsey's Government works.

"Many young people have some experience of elections as they participate in electing a school council. I’m therefore delighted to be part of this initiative in helping them understand the recent electoral changes and the introduction of island-wide voting.”  

Hayley de Putron, a Trustee of the Ana Leaf Foundation, said: “@TheStates is designed to educate young people on the workings of the States and to inspire them to take an interest in their island’s political system."

Pictured: Deputy Michelle Le Clerc said the @The States resource pack, which can be found HERE, is a great way to help young people to better understand Guernsey politics. 

"We hope that at some point in the future they want to get involved, whether this is just by having their say, voting or wishing to become one of our future political leaders. We always receive a great response from the schools and hope that this continues to be a valuable resource for years to come.”

@TheStates also provides an opportunity for Deputies to go into schools and speak to students about their role and how the government works. As well as a Twitter page with the latest @TheStates and political updates.