WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to 56 public high schools and 12 colleges and universities, many of which have student government associations, and several of Philadelphia’s middle schools also support student governments that give young people an early voice in school life; and
WHEREAS, Involvement in student government often marks the beginning of a young person’s civic journey -introducing them to representative leadership, public service, and the responsibilities that come with speaking and acting on behalf of their peers; and
WHEREAS, Student government associations offer young Philadelphians the opportunity to work collaboratively with classmates, educators, and community members to identify issues, propose solutions, and effectuate change in their schools and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Service in student government helps develop critical skills
,
such as
,
public speaking, consensus-building, budgeting, advocacy, and problem-solving, that prepare young people to be informed voters, community leaders, and future public servants in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Student governments can serve as an important pipeline for increasing youth representation in civic and political life, particularly for students from communities that have historically been underrepresented in government decision-making; and
WHEREAS, Involvement in student government can help future generations foster healthy civic habits that will push our city forward, and student government associations should, therefore, be embraced, supported, and empowered by City government; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement and the Philadelphia Youth Commission are convening students from student government associations across the City of Philadelphia to introduce them to City government, deepen their understanding of how City Council and the Mayor’s Office operate, and connect classroom leadership to real-world policymaking; and
WHEREAS, This Citywide Student Government Day at City Hall will provide young people with the opportunity to experience municipal government firsthand, engage directly with elected officials and staff, and see themselves as partners in shaping the future of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia commends the Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement and the Philadelphia Youth Commission for their collaboration in welcoming student governments across Philadelphia to City Hall and for their ongoing work to lift the youth voice in local government; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby declares February 5, 2026, as Citywide Student Government Day in the City of Philadelphia.
End