⚡UPDATED 31st January
⚡30/1/25 Votes at 16 Article supporting lowering the age to vote following Channel4 poll of youth disenchantment with democracy. Young people say they’d elect a ‘strong leader’. I say give more of them the vote | Polly Toynbee | The Guardian
⚡28/1/25 POLL: Channel 4 commissioned poll of 13-27 yr olds highlights disenchantment with democracy & underlines case for political education. Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust: Most Gen Z wants UK to become a dictatorship, survey finds | The Independent
⚡28/1/25 Votes at 16 voters poll Lord Ashcroft’s latest opinion poll of 5000 voters reveal 54% oppose the idea of Govt introducing votes at 16. Extract
⚡NEWS: Youth Strategy MINISTER Updates House of Commons: DCMS Sec State Lisa Nandy MP confirms youth advisory committee and expert group recruitment is underway in HoC answer. Reaffirming commitment to youthvoice leading the process. Interim report expected in Spring with launch in Summer. Link for Hansard text here – National Youth Strategy – Hansard – UK Parliament
⚡NEWS: UK Youth Parliament will debate and vote to prioritise from a shortlist of five topics in House of Commons on 28th February. These are expected to include Votes at 16 plus more political education, equal minimum wage, free public transport for young people, and free accessible period products. The debate will also include a slot for reps from British Overseas Territories to debate their priority issues otsmymreport2024.pdf More info to come…
⚡NEWS: Youth Strategy OPPORTUNITY – 16-25 ? Live in London and have an interest in shaping the Govts new National Youth Strategy? Partnership for Young London have announced they have been “funded by DCMS to carry out wide reaching engagement with young people and experts in the sector next year to better understand the needs of young people by taking part in focus groups (end Jan early Feb) to provide some initial thoughts and feedback before the full launch of the engagement next year. Contact Nora.Zia@cityoflondon.gov.uk https://partnershipforyounglondon.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dca34d06ea32e6e4229821ceb&id=a1c5ed960f&e=89979b2620
[We believe similar opportunities are being hosted in each of the English regions We will seek and share further details when known. Ed]
⚡OPPORTUNITY – 16-30 UK ? Invitation from charity My Life My Say young CEO Dan Lawes … “We’re looking for 16 young people to steer our next national campaign. Yes, it’s a huge one. We can’t tell you much… but we can tell you that it’s about building a democracy that includes young voices. [No prizes for guessing what if is !!Editor] Critically, you don’t have to work in the political space to get involved. We’re keen to hear from arts organisations, sports groups and youth centres that work with young people between the ages of 16-30 ready to step up. To make sure that you’re on the list of partners receiving the email with more details, ping me a message at dan@mlms.org.uk. If you’re a young person reading this – get your organisation, school, youth centre to email me!!
⚡OPPORTUNITY – 16-30 UK? Young Trustee Movement on line workshop/consultation facilitated by young people. 04 February 2025 at 14:00. Calling everyone who supports our work and want to see us succeed! We need your insights, to help us decide on our movement goals in the coming years. Since 2019 we’ve been working across the charity sector to challenge the norm of governance and champion the role of young people in decision-making spaces. With your help and collaboration, we’ve become a small but mighty movement creating ripples across the sector.. We’re inviting you, our allies, partners and collaborators to join us for an interactive conversation where you’ll have a chance to contribute to the Young Trustees Movement strategy in the coming years. For more info and sign up – scroll to Upcoming Events at Young Trustees Movement
⚡RESEARCH ARTICLE Dec 24 – Interesting article for champions and architects of youth participation and the expectations we set. Titled “Participating in the impasse? The cruel optimism of the youth participatory democratic project fantasy” the first para starts… “Participatory research often claims to inspire and empower young people to change their lives and communities but what if the problems are entrenched, and the world remains intransigent?” Participating in the impasse – D3.pdf
⚡PREVIOUSLY
⚡FEEDBACK – where you involved in “Your Vote Week – Get informed and get involved” If so send us your news…
It ran from Monday 10 March to Sunday 16 March 2025 | when the Electoral Commission invited schools, youth groups, colleges and universities to “join us in celebrating democracy by delivering democratic education with their students and young people.” Welcome to Your Vote Week 2025 | Electoral Commission
⚡OPPORTUNITY – HAVE YOUR SAY on care experiences with CoramVoice – Children in care/Careleavers 4-25 “We are delighted to announce that. Voices 2025 is now open for entries We can’t wait to read your poems, raps, stories and more!” Entries close: 23/03/2025 – Find out more http://coramvoice.org.uk/voices
✍️REPORT/SURVEY . YouthVoice Census 2024 from Youth Employment UK “Explore the full Youth Voice Census 2024 report to hear directly from over 5,000 young people and uncover what we can all do to create meaningful change. https://lnkd.in/emC67x4A
✅NEW RESOURCE – launched by The Centre for Youth Voice, Dec24. The “Observatory” aims to illuminate meaningful examples of youth voice activity occurring across the UK, to support us all to expand our knowledge or strengthen our own approaches in youth voice practice. Whether you’re looking for evidence to support your work, examples of tested methods to embed in your organisation, or simply curious about how others are engaging young people Browse here 👉 https://bit.ly/3VbcdUY ⚡FEATURE /Blog) YOUTH STRATEGY Co-Production Head appointed. DCMS appoints Kayleigh Wainwright as Head of Youth Strategy Engagement, on secondment from charity UK Youth. She will “ensure the the new National Youth Strategy is co-produced with young people and the youth sector” More info on her role/Reaction in our FEATURE Sec of State Lisa Nany announced this cooperative approach in Nov 2024 New National Youth Strategy to break down barriers to opportunity for young people – GOV.UK