Jun62019 by James CathcartNo Comments
Youth Charter 2019 – Youth Minister 2020

Youth Charter 2019 – Youth Minister 2020

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard
Youth Charter pending?  Youth Minister overdue! Have the stars aligned, at last, to create the conditions for a meaningful dialogue between youth sector stakeholders and decision-makers, resulting in a higher profile for youth policy development and a lead from Government? Following the ‘Serious Youth Violence Summit’ in early April 2019, the Government announced that it would be working with the youth sector in the coming months, to produce a Youth Charter that will “set out a vision for young people for the next generation and beyond”. The Government repeated its commitment to “giving young people a strong* voice on issues they care about” (first set out in last years Civil Society Strategy, DCMS). Sports and Civil Society Minister [with responsibility for that departments youth policy but its a stretch to…
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Nov82018 by James CathcartNo Comments
Youth Work Matters 2018

Youth Work Matters 2018

News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard
To mark 'Youth Work' Week, on the eve of the Youth Parliament Commons debate, James Cathcart reflects on his early experiences of being a youth worker in the 1980s, what 'youth work' is, and why it matters so much today. "I started out my career as a youth worker and am still proud to fly the Youth Work flag when and where I can. (more…)
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Aug142018 by James CathcartNo Comments
UK Youth Parliament’s ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot TOP 10 campaigns 2018, reviewed

UK Youth Parliament’s ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot TOP 10 campaigns 2018, reviewed

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard
The UK Youth Parliament #MAKEYOURMARK ballot is published (header photo), and the polls are open. Anyone aged 11-18 in the UK can now vote for their priority campaign until 10th October through their local school/youth council/online. In recent years young volunteers have mobilised nearly a million of their peers to vote across the U.K. making it the largest consultation of young people in the country if not Europe. The annual debate of the five of these campaigns by the Youth Parliament in the House of Commons, was one of the highlights of my year when I was at The British Youth Council, but its the results of the popular vote that is a fascinating, sometimes surprising and even ahead of the curve the Westminster bubble. It's what matters to next…
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Jun52018 by James CathcartNo Comments
Youth Social Action: “Listen To Us”

Youth Social Action: “Listen To Us”

News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard, Youth Social Action
Youth Social Action Campaign -  #iwill Pledge update 2018, Voices Heard, Action taken, Difference made. I'm proud to still be backing the #iwill social action campaign to make ‘youth social action’ part of life for 10-20 year-olds in the UK, particularly calling on all stakeholders to demonstrate how they are truly youth-led as enshrined in the core principles of the campaign.  Research indicated that whilst 4 in 10 young people are already engaged in ‘meaningful’ regular volunteering, many more would be if they had the opportunities or were empowered to do so. So lets listen to them about how best to do that, address the challenges they face to make it easier, and celebrate their youth-led successes and supporters who help them. (more…)
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Apr222018 by James CathcartNo Comments
Votes at 16: House of Commons Vote?

Votes at 16: House of Commons Vote?

Democracy, News and Blogs
How would MPs vote if there were a free vote this session? 'Votes at 16 - Are we ready, willing and able?' is a question not just for young people, but for MPs and society. In this Paper, first published on 27/03/18 the author asks 'Are we about to enter a new age for democracy? Is that ‘age’ to be sixteen and will it be more than about voting, and encompass a broader agenda of democratic dialogue between young people and politicians?"  Reviewing 'what's new' and exploring 'what's needed' in the Votes at 16 debate going forward this Paper was first presented to the UK Political Studies Association Annual Conference, Cardiff, March 2018 and a referenced copy is available on request, ahead of publication. It is shared here in advance…
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Feb152018 by James CathcartNo Comments
Votes at 16 : All-Party Parliamentary Group 2018

Votes at 16 : All-Party Parliamentary Group 2018

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard
Is now the time for a new parliamentary body, such as an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), to enable cross-party dialogue to explore consensus on lowering the voting age to 16 with measures to sustain it?  Votes at 16 for all elections is achievable but not inevitable. It is such an important constitutional change it demands a great political and public consensus to be sustainable [lesson learnt from Brexit].  This article explores why and ways to move forward. (more…)
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Jul152017 by James CathcartNo Comments
“From volunteer to Chief Executive – an unexpected journey”

“From volunteer to Chief Executive – an unexpected journey”

News and Blogs, Youth Social Action
Founder of Young Voices Heard, James Cathcart, reflects on his personal journey from volunteer to Chief Executive, explaining why 'volunteering' has been at the heart of his personal development and why he has worked with volunteers throughout his career. [First written for World Youth Skills Day 15th July 2017 (and for a conference presentation) and updated for International Volunteers Day 5th Dec 2017] "My life and career was shaped by an early decision to volunteer as teenager. I continue to volunteer to this day.  I started volunteering for short-term teams with the International Voluntary Service and at the age of 21 volunteered full-time away from home for Community Service Volunteers (now Volunteering Matters) . I had originally intended to be a journalist, but my volunteering grew during a period of…
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Jul122017 by James CathcartNo Comments
A Strong #Youthvote Is In The National Interest because.. (2/5/17)

A Strong #Youthvote Is In The National Interest because.. (2/5/17)

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard
A strong #youthvote turnout is in the national interest because it is a measure of the health of our democracy, an early indicator of the life-time relationship between voters and their representatives, a sign of understanding, a dividend of education and a measure of mandate. We need to nurture it, and if we feed it, it will grow to benefit us all. However, evidence suggests the trend has been in the other direction. This blog was first published at the beginning of May 2017 when the General Election had just been announced, and formed the basis for an open letter to political leaders on the day of the result in June which can be found in a referenced Paper for the Political Studies Association in February 2018. To be published but contact us for…
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Jul62017 by James CathcartNo Comments
“Youth Voices Heard – in Parliament”

“Youth Voices Heard – in Parliament”

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard
Getting "Youth Voices Heard" in Parliament is one of the three top priorities of the 'Young Voices Heard' initiative. (the others being in the Boardroom and in Communities. It is based on the assumption that the health of a nation's governance is proportionate to the level of participation of its young people in public life, and in particular, their understanding and engagement with their Parliament. This blog was first written by the founder of Young Voices Heard in 2017 but was expanded and developed into a Paper for the Political Studies Association in 2018 which is available on request and awaiting publication. (more…)
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