On 10th July 2008, around 1,400 students descended on Central Hall, Westminster in London for a groundbreaking series of events which saw them debate many of the issues vital to citizens today. Co-run by the BBC and the Institute for Citizenship, the afternoon saw the Young Citizens' Action Event hosted by Huw Edwards (BBC News) that featured groundbreaking discussions on the importance of Politics, Economics and 21st Century Citizenship for young citizens in the UK. The event featured interactive voting using Turning Point handsets and discussions with special guests, including David Dimbleby (Chair, Question Time), Mark Easton (BBC Home Editor), Andrew Marr (BBC ONE's 'Sunday Am'), Mark Thompson (Director General, BBC), Jane Hill (BBC News),  Hardeep Singh Kohli (BBC ONE's 'The One Show'), Sir Mike Rake (Chairman, BT), Michael Cassidy OBE (City of London Corporation), Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP and Rt Hon iain Duncan Smith MP. Three films were specially produced for the event by the BBC - 'Why Politics Matters' (Andy Marr, former BBC Political Editor), 'Why Money Matters' (Nik Wood, BBC Two's 'Working Lunch') and 'Why Citizenship Matters' (Mark Easton, BBC Home Editor). The work from the afternoon event will feed into the Young Citizens' Action Agendas for the Prime Minister and Mayor of London, being presented in Winter 2008/2009.

In the evening the audience stayed on for a special Schools edition of 'Question Time' hosted by David Dimbleby and produced by 8 students. The panel included Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Rt Iain Duncan Smith MP, Rt Julia Goldsworthy MP, Saira Khan (The Apprentice) and People's Panellist winner Michael Heaver. The programme was broadcast on Thursday 10th July 2008 at 10:35pm on BBC ONE, featuring the largest ever audience for a 'Question Time' broadcast, and was viewed by over 2.6million people.