Latest News

Mon  19th July 2010           Learner's Voice Workshop Date Announced

The Institute for Citizenship and the Greater Manchester Challenge are inviting Greater Manchester schools/youth groups to bring young people from Years 10/11 to take part in our exciting Learner's Voice workshop on Thursday 14th October 2010 at the Co-operative, Manchester.

The exciting event, run by an Educational Consultant and a Theatre Workshop facililator, aims to give young people the skills to have a voice in school and in their community and will finish with a debate with key decision-makers from Greater Manchester. A full list of guests will be available in early September.

For more information please see the flyer and if you would like to sign up please contact Daniel Jackson, Institute for Citizenship on 020 7841 5159 or daniel@citizen.org.uk.

Mon  24th May 2010           Your chance to influence the Government's new Agenda

Today, the Institute for Citizenship launched its final survey consultation with young people (aged 14-19) across the North West to create a groundbreaking Young Citizens’ Action Agenda for the North West.  The agenda of key action points will be delivered to the new Government in the summer of 2010. 

Young people now have the chance to choose the key points to go into the Action Agenda from nearly 100 ideas created by over 10,000 young people involved in the project from across the North West. 

Zandria Pauncefort, Chief Executive, Institute for Citizenship said, ‘After such a close fought election, young people across the North West now have this exciting opportunity to present their ideas to the new Government.  The YCAA NW is an exciting project that encourages young people to learn the skills that will give them a voice and help them play a part in society.   The Action Agenda  puts young people’s proposals at the heart of policy making and we urge young people to take the time to choose their favourite ideas for inclusion in the Action Agenda, helping to address 21st century challenges’ and contribute to the development of the ‘Big Society’.

Young people (aged 14 - 19) can take the survey online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TKG9G8R.
Alternatively, you can download a PDF copy HERE and return it to the Institute for Citizenship.

Teachers wishing to use the survey as part of their Citizenship or PSHE lessons can also download a free Key Stage 4 Teaching Resource HERE (which can also be adapted for other Key Stages).

The survey closes on: Friday 18th June 2010 at 5pm.

Mon 8th March 2010           Watch the Young Citizens' Action Event

Young Citizens' Action Event, BT Webcast

Tue 9th Feb 2010           Report from the Young Citizens' Action Event

Ten young people from the Burnage Multi Agency Group worked with the Media Trust to produce a report from the groundbreaking Young Citizens' Action Event at the Opera House, Manchester. See their film below:



Tue 9th Feb 2010           Photographs online

Photographs from the groundbreaking Young Citizens' Action Event on 4th February 2010 are now online.

Next week reports from the Media Trust will be available and you will also be able to stream the whole event using BT Streaming. Please come back next week!
Mon  8th Feb 2010           Over 1,350 young people attend groundbreaking event!

On Thursday 4th February 2010, over 1,350 young people (14-19 years old) from across the North West took part in the biggest youth conference outside London, discussing the Political, Economic and Citizenship issues that affect their daily lives.

The event was hosted by Jane Hill BBC News and guests included Dawn Butler MP (Minister for Young Citizens), Baroness Warsi (Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action), Alvin Hall (TV Financial Guru), Jim Hancock (Former BBC NW Political Editor), Neville Richardson (CEO, Co-operative Financial Services), Geoff Thompson MBE (Executive Chairman, Youth Charter) and Diane Modahl (former Olympic Athlete).
Wed 3rd Feb 2010           Dawn Butler MP to launch Government response at YCAE

Dawn Butler MP, (Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement), will debate issues with the audience and launch an agenda that outlines Government initiatives to help young people engage in communities and society in response to the recent recommendations of the Youth Citizenship Commission.  Other confirmed guests include Baroness Warsi (Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action), Alvin Hall (TV Financial Guru), Jim Hancock (Former BBC NW Political Editor), Neville Richardson (CEO, Co-operative Financial Services), Geoff Thompson MBE (Executive Chairman, Youth Charter), Diane Modahl (former Olympic Athlete) and appearance from the ‘X Factor’ voice (Peter Dickson). 

Reports and pictures from the event  will be available on Friday/Monday and any press enquiries should be directed to Adam Calderhead on 0161 602 3561.

Monday 25th Jan 2010           Young People to film the Young Citizens' Action Event!

The Institute for Citizenship and the Media Trust are delighted to announce that a group of young people from Burnage will be helping to produce a film about the Young Citizens' Action Event on Thursday 4th February. The group of nine (aged from 14-19) will be mentored by media professionals from Manchester as part of the Media Trust's groundbreaking Youth Mentoring programme. The highlights film will be available for use by schools and youth groups after the event.

The Institute for Citizenship would like to place on record our thanks to the Media Trust in supporting young people to gain the skills to film our event and encourage schools and youth groups to look at the opportunities the Media Trust offer young people: The Media Trust Website.
Friday 22nd Jan 2010               Waiting List Closes

Due to the exceptional demand for tickets the Institute for Citizenship has had to close the waiting list for tickets for the Young Citizens' Action Event at the Opera House, Manchester on Thursday 4th February.

We would like to thank all schools and youth groups for their interest in the event and to find out other waysthat young people can get involved in the project please email: ycaa@citizen.org.uk.

Tuesday 19th Jan 2010           Ticket Applications

The Institute for Citizenship would like to announce that all the tickets for the Young Citizens' Action Event on 4th February at the Opera House, Manchester have been provisionally allocated.

Any schools/youth groups still wishing to come to the event are advised to contact us directly on: 0161 602 3643 / ycaa@citizen.org.uk. We will be operating a 'first come, first served' waiting list.

For more information on the event please see our Event Page.
Friday 15th Jan 2010              Online Survey Closes on Wednesday 20th Jan 2010

The Young Citizens' Say Survey NW will close on Friday 20th January 2010 at 11.59pm. 

This is the last chance for young people to have their say and we encourage young people, schools and youth groups to take this final opportunity to help plan for the future of the North West.

Young people often complain about not having their voices listened to. Now young people (14 – 19 years old) in the North West of England have the chance to tell the Prime Minister their views and help to shape the 20 year Regional Strategy (currently being undertaken by the NWDA).

To complete the survey online please visit: Young Citizens' Say Survey.

Wednesday 13th Jan 2010       Final FREE Tickets Available for Groundbreaking Event

On Thursday 4th February 2010, 1,000 – 2,000 young people (14 - 19) from across Greater Manchester and the North West are invited to the Opera House, Manchester for an exciting and interactive event which will allow young people to debate many of the issues vital to citizens today. Run by Institute for Citizenship, together with Partner organisations, the afternoon will see the Young Citizens' Action Event hosted by Jane Hill (BBC One O'clock News) featuring groundbreaking discussions on the importance of Politics, Economics and 21st Century Citizenship for young citizens in the North West.

We expect the final free tickets (approximately 200) to be taken up very quickly so would advise any interested schools or youth groups to apply online at: Event Page or contact us on 0161 602 3643 / ycaa@citizen.org.uk as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

After all the tickets have been allocated, schools and youth groups can join our waiting list.

To complete the survey online please visit: Young Citizens' Say Survey.

Friday 18th Dec 2009              Online Survey Deadline Extended

Due to numerous requests from schools and youth groups we have now extended the deadline of the Young Citizens' Say Survey until Thursday 15th January 2010 at 11.59pm. 

Young people often complain about not having their voices listened to. Now young people (14 – 19 years old) in the North West of England have the chance to tell the Prime Minister their views and help to shape the 20 year Regional Strategy (currently being undertaken by the NWDA).

To complete the survey online please visit: Young Citizens' Say Survey.

Friday 18th Dec 2009              Further Event Special Guests Announced

The Institute for Citizenship is delighted to announce that Alvin Hall (Financial Adviser and Presenter of BBC Two's 'Your Money or Your Life'), Jo Swinson MP (Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman) and Neville Richardson (Chief Executive, Co-op Financial Services) are confirmed to take part in the Young Citizens' Action Event at the Opera House, Manchester on Thursday 4th February.

Already confirmed are our host Jane Hill (BBC One O'clock News), 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).

FREE tickets are still available to schools and youth groups across the North West and we have received lots of interest. We currently only have a limited amount of tickets left and would encourage schools/youth groups to apply for tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

To find out more about the event and to book your FREE tickets please see: Young Citizens' Action Event.

Friday 4th Dec 2009                Two Weeks Left To Complete Young Citizens' Say Survey

Young people (14 - 19 years old), teachers and youth workers are reminded that the Young Citizens' Say Survey is available online until 11.59pm, Friday 18th December 2009.

Young people often complain about not having their voices listened to. Now young people (14 – 19 years old) in the North West of England have the chance to tell the Prime Minister their views and help to shape the 20 year Regional Strategy (currently being undertaken by the NWDA).

To complete the survey online please visit: Young Citizens' Say Survey.

To find out more about the survey and how young people can get involved please see our Survey page.

Friday 4th Dec 2009                 Event Nearly Booked Out

There are now only a few hundred FREE tickets available for the Young Citizens' Action Event on Thursday 4th February at the Opera House, Manchester. Demand for tickets has been extremely high and all schools/youth groups interested in attending the event are urged to register for tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Further special guests are due to be announced in the week commencing 7th December 2009. To find out more about the event and to book your FREE tickets please see: Young Citizens' Action Event.

Wednesday 11th Nov 2009        Event Special Guests Announced

The Institute for Citizenship is delighted to announce that Jane Hill (BBC One O'clock News) is hosting the Young Citizens' Action Event at the Opera House, Manchester on Thursday 4th February 2010. Also confirmed to take part are 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).

FREE tickets are currently available to schools and youth groups across the North West and we have received lots of interest. We would encourage schools/youth groups to apply for tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

To find out more about the event and to book your FREE tickets please see: Young Citizens' Action Event.

Thursday 22nd October 2009     Launch Event Photos Now Online

Photographs from the YCAA NW launch event (12th Oct 2009) are now online.

To find out more about the Young Citizens' Action Agenda NW launch event please see: Launch Event.

Wednesday 21st October 2009  Young Citizens' Action Event Date Change

Due to circumstances beyond our control the Young Citizens' Action Event will now be held on Thursday 4th February 2010 from 1pm - 4.30pm. Further information on the event will be available at the start of November. The event is open to 14 - 19 years old in schools/youth groups across the North West.

To find out more about the event and to book your FREE tickets please see: Young Citizens' Action Event.

Tuesday 13th October 2009      FREE Tickets available to Young Citizens' Action Event

We are now taking bookings for the groundbreaking Young Citizens' Action Event at the Opera House, Manchester on Thursday 4th February 2009. The event is open to 14 - 19 years old in schools/youth groups across the North West.

To find out more about the event and to book your tickets please see: Young Citizens' Action Event.

Monday 12th October 2009      Government Youth Tsar launches groundbreaking project

On Monday 12 October 2009, Anne Weinstock CBE (Head of the Youth Task Force) and Ranvir Singh (BBC North West Tonight) launched the groundbreaking YCAA NW project that aims, over the next year, to involve 10,000 to 15,000 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.

To find out more about the Young Citizens' Action Agenda NW launch event and press please see: Launch Event.

Friday 9th October 2009          Take the Young Citizens' Survey NW Now!
Today, the Young Citizens' Say Survey NW was officially launched. Young people (14 - 19 years old) in the North West are invited to complete the survey and have their voice heard. All results will be presented to the Prime Minister in 2010 and will be input into the 20 Year North West Regional Strategy. To complete the survey please go to: YCS Survey.

Friday 2nd October 2009          FREE Interactive Workshops Still Available

The Institute for Citizenship is currently taking bookings for FREE interactive workshops on Politics, Economics and Citizenship available to all schools and youth groups in the North West of England. The workshops run in October - December so get in touch to confirm your FREE workshop! For more information please see our Workshop Section. 

DD

"The importance of involving young people – all people –  in political decision making is greater than ever. Globally and locally we face new and complex challenges, it is important that everyone takes part in the debate. The Institute for Citizenship, with various partner organisations, is bringing the Young Citizens’ Action Agenda to the North West, aiming to get young people involved in the issues that affect their daily lives."                                                      


David Dimbleby,

President, Institute for Citizenship


About the Project
The Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW project aims to give young people (14-19 years old) the skills to take an active role in society and produce solutions to their 21st century challenges. Run by the Institute for Citizenship, together with partner organisations, the aims of the project are:    
  • To give students briefings on 21st century political, economic and citizenship challenges.
  • To promote ‘life skills’ that help young people develop confidence.
  • To promote deliberative democracy and active citizenship.
  • To empower young people to be creative in helping to produce solutions to 21st century challenges.
  • To help society see young people in a more positive light.
  • Produce a Young Citizens' Action Agenda NW for the Prime Minister and Government.
For more information please download our YCAA NW Information Sheet: