24 November 2009

Regional Minister urges young people to take part in a survey to help plan for the future of the North West

Today, Monday 23rd November 2009, Rt Hon Phil Woolas MP (Minister for the North West) encouraged young people (14 – 19 years old) from across the North West to complete this important survey to give them the opportunity to have their say and help plan the 20 year strategy for the North West.

The 50 question survey, on a range of issues key to young people people’s future, aims to involve 14 – 19 year olds in the North West in producing policies and ideas to help solve the 21st century challenges that will affect their futures. The survey is currently being completed by over 5,000 young people in the North West and the Regional Minister urged young people to have their say and help plan for the coming decades.

The survey is part of a groundbreaking project, the Young Citizens’ Action Agenda North West (YCAA NW), which is led by the Institute for Citizenship and supported by a range of high profile national and regional partners.  The survey results will be used to:
• Inform the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s 20 year North West Regional Strategy (RS2010).
• Inform the work of sub-regional Young Citizens’ panels who will produce an Action Agenda for the North West to be delivered to the Regional Minister and newly elected Prime Minister in mid-2010.

Phil Woolas MP, Minister for the North West, said, ‘It’s vital that young people have a say in the issues that shape their lives and this is a great opportunity for all 14-19 year olds in the North West to get involved in the everyday politics that affect their opportunities now and in the future.  I urge all young people to take part in the survey and the Young Citizens’ Panels over the next few months, and look forward to hearing their ideas in the Action Agenda for the North West next year’.
 
The Young Citizens’ Say Survey is available online (at www.ycaa.org.uk) and paper copies can be ordered by contacting the Institute for Citizenship on 0161 602 3651. The survey closes on 18th December 2009.

** Ends**

The Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW, a year-long education project, also includes.
• A high-profile Briefing event for 1,000–2,000 young people (Opera House, Manchester, 4 February), hosted by Jane Hill (BBC One O’clock News), and Andy Burnham MP (Secretary of State for Health), Baroness Sayeeda
Warsi (Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action) and Jim Hancock (former BBC NW Political Editor) are confirmed to take part.
• 80 – 100 interactive workshop ‘briefing’ events in schools across the North West of England
• Free resources to help teachers teach young people about 21st century economic, political and social challenges and the relevance of these challenges to their future lives, opportunities and aspirations.
For more information about the project please see: www.ycaa.org.uk.                           

For further information, quotes, and interviews.

Please contact Jon Fitzmaurice, Institute for Citizenship, on: (direct) 0161 602 3651 (Mobile) 0772 9120604. E-mail jon@citizen.org.uk

The Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW is a partnership supported by the following organisations:

The Institute for Citizenship is an independent charitable trust. The IfC aims to promote informed, active citizenship and greater participation in democracy and society through a combination of events, projects, research, education and discussion and debate. The IfC President is David Dimbleby and key projects include Schools Question Time with the BBC and Parliament’s Education Service.

The Co-operative Group is the world’s largest consumer co-operative with more than 4.5 million members, over £14 billion turnover, and core business interests in food, travel, pharmacy, funeral care and financial services. Led by The Co-operative's values and principles, the strength and commitment of the membership is vital in helping to achieve its goals from helping the community to tackling global climate change. 

The Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) core purpose is to maximise the region’s competitiveness to build a stronger economy. Their investment is carefully targeted at initiatives that unlock the widest possible economic benefit.  The Agency’s work is set out in the Regional Economic Strategy. The NWDA is currently developing a new single Regional Strategy called RS2010.

Government Office for the North West is part of a network of nine Government Offices each of which represents Whitehall in its region and supports the work of a Regional Minister. The role of Government Offices is to strengthen national policies, integrate regional strategies and drive local delivery.
              
By investing in education and skills, BT’s Better World Campaign helps young people overcome disadvantage, achieve more in their own lives and improve the world around them. With an emphasis on developing these skills in young people to the Campaign aims to meet three key objectives; 1)  To ensure young people most in need are heard and helped
2)  To develop young people's communication skills by sharing information
3)  To help young people campaign to create real social change.

Parliament’s Education Service works with schools and Members of both Houses of Parliament to support young people in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy. The Service aims to inform, engage and empower young people to understand the work, history and relevance of Parliament.
 
The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes and web based tools, research and services with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity through sport, arts and cultural activity to develop in life.

The Greater Manchester Challenge is a three year programme (2008-2011) to improve educational outcomes for young people in Greater Manchester delivered in partnership between Government, schools, local authorities and all those working to raise education standards.

AGMA (the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) was formed after the abolition of the Greater Manchester County Council in 1986. The Association is a partnership between the ten local authorities within the Greater Manchester area.