HeadsUp :: BackUp - Debate #31

Who's listening?

Below are some details about the Commissioners and politicians taking part in the forum. You might remember the Commissioners from the debate held back in November 2008 now they're joined by politicians that want to discuss their findings with you....

Natascha Engel MP

Natascha is Chair of the All Party Youth Affairs group in Parliament and she had this message for HeadsUp users:

'I’m really glad to have this opportunity of talking to you directly.

We, in Parliament, too often make laws and think of policy ideas without giving those people that it affects most the chance to tell us what they think.

What do you think of citizenship education at your school? How can it improve? If you don’t know how politics works, you can’t influence it.

Do you get involved in your local community? Do you feel that there are barriers stopping you get involved? What about the image of young people? How do you think we could improve older people’s perceptions of younger people?

Especially at the moment, we could be on the brink of a very different kind of Parliament. The expenses scandal has shown us that we need to be better at representing people’s views – locally and nationally. That means we need you to get more directly involved. How do you think we should do that?

So tell us what you think. I know you won’t hold back.'

Theresa May MP

Theresa is the Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions and Shadow Minister for Women for the Conservative party. She had this message for HeadsUp users:

'I am delighted to be able to support HeadsUp and this important debate. There has been a lot in the news recently that might put young people off politics so it is all the more important that this forum exists. These issues go to the heart of what it means to be a part of a community and how different generations can work together to learn from each other.

So I am interested to hear a young person’s take on this. For example, it is easy for politicians to talk about the importance of teaching citizenship in schools but we must also listen to young people and what they think of their citizenship classes. So I’m looking forward to seeing how the debate unfolds and what conclusions are reached.'

Phil Willis MP

Phil is Chair of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee and he had this message for HeadsUp users:
'I am very heartened by the HeadsUp initiative. As politicians, we are here to work for you and represent you. Even if you are not old enough to vote, you should have a voice in political discussions and the decisions that affect you, your school and your community. Too often, decisions about your future are made for you without you having a say. We need to work together to change this.

Participating in HeadsUp is a wonderful opportunity for you to tell us what you think about the issues that concern you, and for us to hear your perspectives and learn from you. I hope that this debate will act as a platform from which we can go on to actively incorporate your opinions into political decision-making.

I very much look forward to answering your questions and hearing your thoughts and opinions.'

Fiona Hyslop MSP

Fiona is the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in the Scottish Parliament. She had this message for HeadsUp users:

'In Scotland, we are committed to making sure young people have their say on the issues, decisions and policies that affect them, their families and their communities.

I am therefore pleased to offer this statement of support for “HeadsUp”, and I would encourage young people to get on line and take part in the debate. Our young people are today’s citizens as well as tomorrows, and it’s important that their voice is heard loud and clear by decision makers. A forum like “HeadsUp”, that uses innovative means of engagement to get young people involved, is an important part in supporting our young people to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

Through our work with Young Scot, the Scottish Youth Information and Citizenship Agency, and others including the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children’s Parliament, over 12,000 young people, over the last 12 months have played their part in consultations on the issues that affect them. In doing so they have had, and continue to have, an impact on important issues such as the anti-social behaviour review, the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, climate change and the national conversation.

This is a great opportunity to for young people to be heard and for their peers, communities and decision makers to listen.'

Karen Whitefield MSP

Karen Whitefield is the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts and is the Labour Party spokesperson for children and young people in the Scottish Parliament. She had this message for HeadsUp users:

"The Heads Up forum seems to me to be a great way of young people engaging in political discussion and debating with politicians from all of the political parties. Far too often young people are seen as a problem. My experience of intergenerational work in Airdrie has shown me that young people can engage positively with older people in their community and that both groups can learn from each other.

"I regularly attend local schools and find that the pupils often ask me the most probing and challenging questions. Whilst it may be true that there is apathy about party political politics among many young people, I know that the big political issues that matter, such as education, health, poverty the environment, are as important to young people as they are to any other generation.

"I am looking forward to logging on to Heads Up and debating with the young people involved. No doubt it will be as challenging and interesting as ever."

Chair of the Youth Citizenship Commission - Professor Jon Tonge

Why are you on the Youth Citizenship Commission and what is your background?
I am Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool and President of the Political Studies Association of the UK. I was asked by the government to chair the Youth Citizenship Commission and I was delighted to accept. I care passionately about politics and want as many people as possible to feel similarly interested and enthused. If the Commission can help in this task I think it will have made an important contribution to public life.

Andrew Mycock - Politics Lecturer

Why are you on the Youth Citizenship Commission and what is your background?
My background is varied. I left school at 17 with no A-levels and worked in an engineering factory for 10 years before going to University. I am on the YCC because my research interests focus on citizenship, identity and education, particularly citizenship education. I am currently writing book on national identity and citizenship which focuses on debates around Britishness. I hope my involvement on theYouth Citizenship Commission will encourage young people from all backgrounds to participate and become more active citizens. I also would also like to dispell many of the negative stereotypes promoted by the press about young people and encourage a less segregated view of society.

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson

Why are you on the YCC and what is your background?
I have a politics degree so have always been interested in how things work in terms of society. I was a successful paralympic athlete for 15 years, and I continue to have an involvement in sport and the development of sport for young people. I care passionately about the right of every citizen to have a voice and a say in their future.

Richard Demby

Why are you on the Youth Citizenship Commission and what is your background?
My background is as a citizenship teacher and coordinator at a high school in Manchester . I also act as a consultant to a range of post-16 citizenship practitioners in the North West.

Hazel Rees

Why are you on the Youth Citizenship Commission and what is your background?
I am a young teacher who believes that everyone should have an equal say in our society. I am a trade unionist - a member of the NUT, a teaching union that campaigns to improve conditions for children and teachers, like ending child poverty, and fair pay for teachers. Your school might have been this year because the teachers were on strike - that was the NUT protesting about cuts in teachers pay. Being a member of a trade union is an important way that workers can be politically active. Students can be members of a union too.

Lord Rix

Lord Rix had this message for HeadsUp users about the Youth Citizenship Commission forum:
'This debate really goes to the heart of how we are going to improve our communities by making the most of young people’s energy and ideas. I am normally found in the House of Lords arguing for the rights of people with a learning disability to be upheld. Whenever I am out there doing my bit, I am spurred on by all the people I have met who share my hopes for a world where people with a learning disability can lead an ordinary, safe and independent life like everyone else. In particular, it never fails to amaze me how passionate young people are about making the world a better place, particularly for those who are disadvantaged such as people with a learning disability. If we don’t make the most of that enthusiasm young people will be turned off by politics, and everyone will lose out. That is why communities must value young people by listening to their views and creating a space where they can explore, create and develop.'

Baroness Garden of Frognal

Baroness Garden supports the HeadsUp forum with the Youth Citizenship Commission and had this message for HeadsUp users:

'I am delighted to support the Hansard Society HeadsUp online forum for young people aged 11-18. Politics matters. Politicians make decisions which influence all our lives – on education, health, security, the economy, climate change, and many more issues which affect us, our communities, our country and our relations internationally. Politicians are people who have put their heads up above the parapet, volunteered to represent the interests of their community, then gone through the process of being selected by their political party, with the final ‘trial by fire’ of fighting an election to win the support of electors. Politics - local, national, European – need people who feel passionate about making the world a better place. The ideas and enthusiasm of today’s young people can show yesterday’s young people how to create a free, safe and fair society. And to make things happen, do get involved! '

Simon Hughes MP

Simon is looking forward to discussing the issues with everyone on HeadsUp.....

Debate 31