News
3 February 2010
Over 50 per cent of Teens want a political voice
With a General Election due within the next four months, only one-fifth (19 per cent) of teenagers in a new survey of over 5,500 young people felt they had any way to influence political decision-making. But if there was a General Election now and they were able to vote, over half (54 per cent) of young people say they would vote.
These findings, part of early results from a groundbreaking Institute for Citizenship (IfC) survey of young people in the North West that mirrors experience nationally, suggest that many young people struggle to find a political voice and may risk political as well as social exclusion. The topline findings from the Young Citizens’ Say survey – to be published in summer – indicate that much more needs to be done to hear the voice of youth in politics and to find practical ways to involve teenagers in real policy-making in schools and in the community.
Recent elections have seen an ongoing decline in the youth vote. Following the last election, research identified a cohort or generation of young people who do not see voting as a ‘civic duty’ and who, if they don’t use their first vote, get out of the habit of voting. Research also shows that, contrary to popular myth, these young people are deeply interested in the political, economic, social and environmental issues that will shape their future lives but they risk disillusion because they believe that their views do not count in the real world of politics.
The Institute for Citizenship, with partner organisations, plans to lead the way in giving young people (14 – 19 years old) across the North West of England a range of new and real opportunities to have their voices heard and to input into policy through the Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW project:
• A high-profile interactive event for 1,600 young people will be held at the Opera House, Manchester on Thursday 4th February, hosted by Jane Hill (BBC One O’clock News) to debate political, economic and citizenship challenges. The largest deliberative democracy event for young people outside London will include discussions with special guests including: Dawn Butler MP (Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement), Baroness Warsi (Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action), Alvin Hall (TV Financial Guru), Neville Richardson (CEO, Co-operative Financial Services), Geoff Thompson MBE (Former five times Karate World Champion and Executive Chairman, Youth Charter) and Diane Modahl (former Olympic Athlete).
• The findings from the Young Citizens’ Say survey on a range of issues key to young people’s lives will help shape the 20-year strategy for the North West, which is being produced by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and 4NW on behalf of the region.
• The survey will also inform the work of sub-regional Young Citizens’ Panels who will produce an Action Agenda for the North West to be presented to the Regional Minister and newly elected Prime Minister in mid-2010.
Zandria Pauncefort, Chief Executive of the IfC said: ‘The survey results show that we need to be far more innovative in finding new ways to engage the electorate of the future in policy-making and democracy. While it is very encouraging that many young people are interested in the issues and want to have more power over their lives, it is clear that they need help to gain knowledge and confidence in order to have their say. Interactive events like the Young Citizens’ Action Event on 4th February provide a great opportunity to get young people together to discuss what really matters to them as 21st century citizens and to create action agendas on how their ideas can help shape policy and the next decade of politics’.
Note to Editors:
• 5,583 young people (14-19 years old) from the North West of England took part in the survey from October 2009 – January 2010.
• Demographic Breakdown: (52.5% Male/Female 47.5%) (Greater Manchester / Greater Merseyside / Lancashire / Cheshire / Cumbria.
• Young Citizens’ Say survey: Full results will be published at the Houses of Parliament in Summer 2010.
• Results released:
Do you feel young people have any way of influencing politics?
Yes: 19% No: 61% Don’t Know: 17% (Didn’t Respond: 2%)
If you could vote in a General Election tomorrow, would you do so?
Yes: 53% No: 20% Don’t Know: 15% (Didn’t Respond: 2%)
About the Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW Project:
The Young Citizens’ Say survey is part of the Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW, a year-long education project, which includes.
• 75 interactive workshop ‘briefing’ events held in schools across the North West of England in autumn 2009 which reached over 8,000 young people.
• A high-profile briefing event for 1,600 young people (Opera House, Manchester, 4 February), hosted by Jane Hill (BBC One O’clock News), with other special guests.
• A survey of up to 10,000 young people across the North West that will seek their views on skills and aspirations and help inform the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s Regional Strategy 2010
• The formation of Young Citizens Panels that will produce an Action Agenda for the North West and for Manchester to be delivered to the Regional Minister and newly elected Prime Minister in mid-2010.
For further information, photography, quotes, and interviews.
To attend the interactive event at the Manchester Opera House and interview young people on the future of the North West and the UK, please contact Jon Fitzmaurice, Institute for Citizenship, on: (direct) 0161 602 3643 (Mobile) 0772 9120604. E-mail: jon@citizen.org.uk.
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.
The Media Trust is the UK’s leading communications charity. It believes everyone should have a voice and be given the opportunity to be heard. It works with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice.
Media Trust owns and runs Community Channel, the UK's only national TV channel dedicated to communities, their stories and the organisations that support them.
