The Youth Participation Charter 2006 – Not just heard.

The Youth Participation Charter 2006 – Not just heard.

News and Blogs Archive, Topical, Young Voices Heard
“While consultation is important, participation in its truest sense gives children and young people an active involvement in planning, decision-making and subsequent evaluation” The Participation Charter, 2006 Is it time to revisit and revive this Charter? Has it stood the test of time? 'The Participation Charter 2006' set out a vision of #youthvoice empowered to have say in decision-making. Many of its principles still apply today but is it enough in 2020 and beyond? How can we collaborate with young leaders, listening to, working with and investing in participation and leadership to refreshed a vision and charter? Whilst not the earliest youth voice charter we've come across, this 'Participation Charter' was published by Children Young People Now magazine on 6th June 2006*, in association with the Participation Works Consortium**.  James…
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#PupilVoice and Covid19

#PupilVoice and Covid19

News and Blogs Archive, Youth Social Action
During a summer of covid-related challenges for the education sector students views were increasingly reported by the media to a wider audience than is usual.  The exam results announcements are traditionally a time when cameras and microphones are poised to capture the reaction of pupils. This year the 'algorithm' produced such a range of results and young people were on hand - shocked and disbelieving. This turned to questioning and challenging politicians to respond, and in some places backed with street protests. When the politicians announced a change of policy, at least one education minister acknowledged the influential role of students who had contacted him.  What can we learn from this experience about how youthvoice can be better empowered and amplified in a way that has agency and impact? It…
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#YouthVoice in organisations: 10 steps to good practice

#YouthVoice in organisations: 10 steps to good practice

2020, Editors Pick, News and Blogs Archive, Topical, Young Voices Heard
Meaningful Youth Participation - self assessment Ten minimum standards for organisations looking to promote youth voice, participation and leadership. As part of our 'Power of Youth' research between 2018-2021, Young Voices Heard has been making space for young people to inform and influence good practice with their advice on planning or improving the way in which organisations embrace youth voice and participation. In this article, we have collected the views and priorities of young people into a set of ten minimum standards, and ordered them into a series of steps.  We asked for feedback - resulting in an extra one - no 11! What would you add? What other resources would you recommend? Please send us your suggestions through the link at the end of the article. Where to start…
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“Buckets of Cold Water will be poured on your ideas!” PM : Video, Text, Analysis

“Buckets of Cold Water will be poured on your ideas!” PM : Video, Text, Analysis

News, News and Blogs Archive
Video, text, and analysis of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson's address to school leavers on Friday 10th July 2020 Rugby, buckets of cold water and Churchill were all referenced in a five minute address direct to young people on Facebook and YouTube:  ".. one of the most important and influential generations in the peacetime history of our country ... we are going to need people like you ... I can't wait to see the great new world that you are going to help us to build.” Read  full text and our analysis. Watch the PM's address, and Obamas speech to U.S. school graduates earlier this year. The address was circulated to schools to pass on to all school leavers during the week of 6th of July. There was no public…
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#YouthVoiceNow: Interview with Katrina Lambert BEM (19) #iwill ambassador, trustee at ‘Volunteering Matters’, and member of ‘Youth for Change’

#YouthVoiceNow: Interview with Katrina Lambert BEM (19) #iwill ambassador, trustee at ‘Volunteering Matters’, and member of ‘Youth for Change’

Changemakers and Champions Gallery, Gallery, Individuals, News and Blogs Archive, Young Voices Heard, Youth Voice in Democracy, YouthVoice Interview, YouthVoice Interview, YouthVoiceNow Interview
Katrina Lambert BEM, 19 years old (at the time of writing) and originally from Edinburgh, is an activist campaigning on gender equality, human rights and youth voice. [Since the time of interview Katrina has been recognised in the Queen Platinum Birthday Honours with a BEM for her work including Co Chair of the Back Youth Alliance] She is an #iwill ambassador, a trustee at Volunteering Matters, member of youth-led network Youth For Change and has been recognised by the Prime Minister for her work with a Points of Light award. Katrina has been active in promoting youth voice in Scotland (volunteering with organisations such as Young Scot and ProjectScotland) and is now based in London where she is studying Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics. Continuing…
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“Youth at the Table” – The Young Trustees Movement

“Youth at the Table” – The Young Trustees Movement

Governance, News and Blogs Archive, Youth Voice in the Boardroom
"It's time to end social distancing! No - I'm not referring to the Covid19 two metre spacing but the social distancing that is growing between generations. Young voices are less likely to heard on the issues that matter to them in the places that matter. They are rarely involved or share in decisions that affect their future. An inclusive vision and mission for our country and the organisations that shape it, is more likely to be realised when every voice, particularly that of young leaders, is valued and heard. At a time when young people are facing disproportionate covid19 consequences and challenges - they deserve to be at the table. Particularly in the boardroom, and any other forums, councils, or parliaments, that are making decision that will affect them. If…
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Open Letter to PM, ‘Its time to talk to young people about Covid’

Open Letter to PM, ‘Its time to talk to young people about Covid’

News and Blogs Archive, Young Voices Heard
Youth representatives and leading organisations call on the UK Government to hold youth press conference on Covid19 and allow under-18s to ask questions in the daily briefing, in an Open Letter to the PM*.    Young Voices Heard also calls on the media to give youthvoice more of a platform because when we are all in this together, every voice matters. We, at Young Voices Heard, have joined over 130 young representatives and senior leaders from over 80 organisations, across the youth, education, health, funding and civil society sectors to call on the UK Government to hold a dedicated press conference for young people to answer their questions about the Covid-19 pandemic and to allow under-18s to submit questions to the daily press conference, in an open letter published today,…
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YouthVoice on #Covid-19: Who’s listening?

YouthVoice on #Covid-19: Who’s listening?

News and Blogs Archive, Young Voices Heard
Covid-19: Every voice matters and needs to be heard. The Government’s daily briefings may now be taking questions from the public but anyone under 18 is simply told that “you cannot ask a question in the coronavirus press conference because - you’re not old enough”. I was a bit surprised at the bluntness of this message to children and young people, offering not explanation or alternative. This lack of imagination in providing an opportunity for children and young people to be recognised and heard by the media, decision-makers and the public at large, is alarming. We are ALL in this together and every voice counts. So 'Young Voices Heard' joined over 80 other organisations and 130 of their youth representatives, in signing an open letter* on Thursday 8th May to…
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Youth Participation Quality Mark: Project 2020

Youth Participation Quality Mark: Project 2020

News and Blogs Archive, Young Voices Heard
Having a 'Youth Participation Quality Mark' is one way to indicate that #youthvoice is being heard AND making a difference to an organisation. Having certification, or an award, will indicate the degree to which youth-participation is: a) 'taking place' b) 'meaningful' and c) 'fit for purpose', be it consultation, co-design, or participation in scrutiny and decision-making.  "Register your interest in this project or feedback to info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk with your name/role/org recommending good practice examples and sharing a #youthvoice view for what quality looks like - go to our QM Project page for latest news and draft resources". Young Voices Heard is launching a Quality Assurance project that it hopes will lead to a new set of national standards for engagement, participation, and impact. Working with a network of independent young advisors,…
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The Challenge of Youth Power: From silent-service to youth-voice leading

The Challenge of Youth Power: From silent-service to youth-voice leading

News and Blogs Archive, Young Voices Heard, Youth Social Action
At the start of its seventh and final year the Step Up To Serve's (SUTS) #iwill campaign has launched a "Power of Youth Challenge 2020" to organisations, decision makers and young people to come together and get involved in a year-long set of activities that will champion youth voice, action and leadership in the #iwill network across the UK. Everyone, including young people, are invited to not only see, hear and value youth voice and leadership, but to signup to promote and grow it. The 'Challenge' also represents a strategic call to the youth sector organisations, decision makers and young people to continue to work together into the future to ensure our collective advances are not lost' as the SUTS charity prepares to close at the end of 2020. (more…)
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