06.07.2009
Gordon Brown has launched The Youth of Today, a major youth leadership programme for young people aged 13-19, aiming to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of opportunities for young people as leaders of change in their communities.
Funded by the DCSF, The Youth of Today is led by a consortium of leading organisations previously known as the National Body for Youth Leadership. This includes The National Youth Agency, British Youth Council, Changemakers, Citizenship Foundation, Prince’s Trust, UK Youth Parliament and The Young Foundation.
Several youth leadership initiatives are well underway, projecting a positive image of young people from all backgrounds, particularly the disadvantaged and underrepresented, who are working to improve their own lives. This includes a £1m investment, The Youth of Today Leadership Fund, enabling third sector organisations to scale up their youth leadership initiatives. The Youth of Today Fellowship is identifying 600 young leaders from different backgrounds offering them training and networking opportunities, starting with a motivational conference in August led by high profile young achievers.
The Local Councilor Shadowing and Ministerial Shadowing programmes, delivered by the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament, respectively, allow young people to engage with decision makers. The programmes provide opportunities for young people to gain an insight into the work of ministers and councilors and understand what they do and how decisions are made. The aim is to break down misconceptions about those involved in politics and increase awareness of the democratic process at a national and local level.
Gordon Brown outlined his full support for The Youth of Today: “This afternoon’s youth leadership discussion is testament to the powerful voice young people have in their communities. The Youth of Today will enable more young people to have their voice heard through a dynamic partnership of leading charities that will help increase the quality of opportunities for young people. I want to see many more young people have the opportunity to be seen and heard as leaders in their communities, central to solving community problems and active in engaging their peers in bringing about change.”
For more information go to www.theyouthoftoday.org |
