18.12.2008
Yesterday saw the launch of the annual BT Seen & Heard Report which highlights the positive work of young people and celebrates the positive difference that young people can make when adults listen to them.
Run in partnership with UKYP, the initiative challenges the negative stereotypes of young people and draws attention to the issues that matter to them. The report was presented to ministers, MPs, business leaders and other opinion formers at the Houses of Parliament.
Twenty projects are detailed in this year’s Seen & Heard report. One of the projects, Leeds based Theatre for Change, received recognition for its collaborative work with local services. By bringing members of community based youth theatres together, the group explored issues that were important to them through plays, dance and art installations.
The Seen & Heard campaign was open to international submissions for the first time this year, resulting in case studies hailing from as far away as Canada, India and Kenya.
One of the projects, a support group run by young people in Kenya called the Ado Club, provides a mentoring service to the youth in their community, providing confidential advice on a range of issues including some taboo subjects such HIV and Aids. Samuel Njoroge runs the club alongside his wife and friend, and says: “The Government in Kenya has no faith in young people. What we have done is challenge that and shown them that young people can make a difference.”
Beth Courtier, head of charity programmes at BT, said: “It is our duty as adults to allow young people to improve their world by nurturing their talents and providing them with the support and recognition needed to enable them to make a difference. The Seen & Heard Report highlights ways in which this has been done successfully.”
Andy Hamflett, CEO of UK Youth Parliament, said: “UKYP and BT have been working together to help improve young people’s image in society for over 5 years. This year Seen and Heard has taken the message global – there is an inspiring collection of really powerful stories that demonstrate young people do care and are making a difference.”
The BT Seen & Heard Report forms part of the Better World campaign, the company’s corporate responsibility programme, which aims to help young people use communication to make a better world. For further information on the Better World campaign and to view a full copy of the report please go to www.btbetterworld.com. |
