SFU student carries political message

By Dan Hilborn
Published Sept. 15, 2004


Jennifer Keefe defies most of the stereotypes about young people and politics.

First off, the 21-year-old Simon Fraser University student believes there is lots to be fascinated about in the world of Canadian politics - unfortunately our school system does a poor job of presenting the subject.

Secondly, she believes young people would be more willing to get involved in politics - but only if they knew how deeply the workings of government affected their lives.

And Keefe had the rare opportunity to express those views to some of the most influential politicians in the country when she was chosen to be one of two B.C. delegates to attend a youth conference held in conjunction with the Canadian premiers' meeting in Niagara- on-the-Lake, Ont., this past summer.

"I think young people need the opportunity to be engaged, and the forum I was at provided that," said Keefe, who says changing young people's attitudes towards politics will take a concerted effort. "I think young people fail to see the importance of politics and public affairs in their lives."

And to make that change will take a concerted effort, she said.

"The media, the secondary school system and the workplace are needed to influence the political culture of indifference that exists with youth," she said.

For example, she believes schools should spend more time talking about politics and less time on the inanimate structures of government.

"We should look at the issues that face Canadians, such as the regional cleavages that make it difficult for governments to cooperate," Keefe said. "Right now there is a big focus on history, but not so much on politics."

At the conference, Keefe met with several politicians and heard a variety of responses to her ideas for getting young people more involved in politics.

She said B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell was among the more receptive political leaders, who talked about the possibility of hosting a youth conference where young people could speak to him in person.

In contrast, a cabinet minister from Alberta was a little less impressed by the call to engage young people.

"He said it's not so important for youth to vote," Keefe said, with a tone of disappointment in her voice.

At the conference, Keefe called on the politicians to take several concrete steps to get young people more involved in the political process.

Keefe would like to see a national competition created for young people to help them produce their own advertising campaigns on the importance of voting, and the creation of a national forum made up of two students from each high school in the country to gather once a year to discuss issues of importance to youth.

"I think that by learning more about the diversity that exists within Canada, people will learn that the government is made up of different levels," she said.

Keefe also supports Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Patty Sahota's call for a national citizens' assembly, similar to the 160-member panel that is currently looking at the electoral process in British Columbia.