Five former Derby Youth Mayors represented the city at an International Youth Exchange to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of a historic peace treaty.
Philip Hutchinson, Tiny Simbani, Frederico Almeida, Abdul Siddiqi and Connie Spencer, who served as Derby’s Youth Mayor in consecutive years from 2015 to 2021, were invited to Derby’s twin city of Osnabruck earlier this month (August). They took part in a week of workshops exploring youth representation, environmental sustainability and the climate emergency to mark 375 years since the Treaty of Westphalia was signed, ending the 30 Years War in Europe.
They joined representatives from Osnabrück and its five other twin cities from around the world to discuss how their countries can create a more sustainable future.
The delegation also shared the work Derby is doing to increase youth representation, promote environmental sustainability and tackle the climate emergency. In particular, they reported on how Derby successfully ensures that young people are actively considered in local decision making through the Voices in Action Youth Council and the roles of the Youth Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Osnabrück and Derby were twinned in 1976 and have maintained their relationship ever since. Town twinning in Britain started after the Second World War as a means to rebuild relations between England and Germany and was once described as "the greatest peace movement in the world".
The Treaty of Westphalia, proclaimed from Osnabrück’s Town Hall in 1648, is a defining event in the history of Europe, which has shaped Osnabrück’s identity as the City of Peace.
During the exchange, the group had an opportunity to work with a local street artist to create a peace mural in Osnabrück to promote peace and sustainability. They also visited the climate museum in Bremerhaven, the Museum of Industry and Natural History Museum in Osnabrück and a wind farm built on an old coal mine in Piesberg.
Philip Hutchinson, Youth Mayor of Derby (2015 - 2017) said:
As the threat posed by climate change becomes ever greater, it’s more important than ever for us to work across borders to find common solutions. I’ve learnt huge amounts in Osnabrück from other young people about solutions we can implement to increase sustainability and am excited to bring back some of these ideas and initiatives to Derby.
We hope this mural will be a reminder to others about the importance of peace and working alongside those of different cultures. This experience has really highlighted to us the importance of maintaining deep connections with Osnabrück and the incredible benefits that can be gained by working proactively with others from different national and cultural backgrounds.
Cllr John Whitby, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Learning and Skills said:
This is a brilliant opportunity for our Youth Mayors to share Derby’s successes and work with other young people to address crucial issues. We’re very proud of the work of Derby’s Youth and Deputy Youth Mayors and it’s fantastic to see them representing the city internationally.
To read more about city’s town twinning, visit the Derby City Council website. You can keep up to date with Derby’s current Youth and Deputy Youth Mayor on Instagram.