Hillingdon Youth Council Conference 2006
The annual Hillingdon Youth Council conference was held this year in February in the Middlesex Suite, Civic Center, Uxbridge.
A selection of the borough's youth was given a chance to discuss political and local issues with each other and the guest panel. The panel of the most influential people in Hillingdon consisted of Dorian Leatham - Chief Executive of Hillingdon Council, Charles Hendry MP for Hayes and Harlington, John Randall MP for Uxbridge, Tom Murphy Principal Youth Officer at Hillingdon, Councillor Stone, Councillor Carey, Councillor Simmonds, Councillor Dubrow Marshall, Mary Worrall Green Spaces Manager and PC David Burgum.
The attendees were welcomed by Katie Clipp, Nick Cooper and Ben Dunkley, former Members of the UK Youth Parliament. The conference then turned to their table's debate. The debates were held on a number of topics including: the Olympic bid, crime, youth services, education, Europe amongst others. The outcome of the discussion was then fedback to the wider group.
For more information about the conference and about the Hillingdon Youth Conference in 2006 click here.
Nigeria Trip 2004
Emma Weston (MYP for Hillingdon 2003/4) went to Nigeria as part of her work as MYP. Here's what she said:
"Kano, Nigeria – what an amazing place to see! In December 2004 I had the chance to have a week long visit to Kano. Situated in a Northern part of Nigeria, the area has recently come out of a civil war and is consequently in some areas, being renovated to match the rest of the vibrant city, therefore I felt that the project that I helped to carry out was important in helping to rejuvenate and encourage change within Nigerian society. "
Click here for the full article.
London Region MYP Residential
Isle of Wight - 16th-18th April 2004
We went on a weekend residential/meeting to the Isle of Wight with our fellow MYPs at the 3d Activity Centre. Our weekend was spent debating relevant topics like Gay adoption and marriages, and Stop and Search; discussing projects going on in our respective areas; along with preparing for forthcoming events like the National Sitting, planning a regional conference and a regional manifesto.
We were also given the opportunity to take part in great teambuilding activities like wall climbing and aeroball. Also on the Sunday we went dragon boating – great fun! – even though it was pouring with rain.
Both Roberto and I came back, full to the brim with ideas of what we would like to achieve during our time as MYP.
By Emma Weston
BBC News 24 - April 19th 2004
Emma Weston and Roberto Bruno (MYPs for Hillingdon 2003/4) were given the opportunity of taking part in a live debate on BBC News 24 on 19th April 2004.
The topic was the decision of the electoral commission not to recommend lowering the vote to 16; however they have decided to recommend lowering the age of standing as an MP, MEP or local councillor to 18.
As MYPs Emma and Roberto are for the proposition of lowering the vote to 16 – they debated with a former Conservative candidate from the Midlands; who felt that at 16, young people are not well enough equipped to vote.
We feel that the fact that more people in Kent voted for MYP than MP gives a good indication about how young people really feel about politics.
Safe Surroundings
Safe Surroundings is a project that we did in conjunction with Millennium Volunteers. We looked at an area that we thought was not safe and needed improving. We chose the area between Hayes and Harlington Train Station down to the bandstand in Hayes Town.
We filmed and took pictures of the area and then devised ideas on how we felt the area could be improved. We consulted with member of the public using questionnaires and interviews to gain their opinions and points of view. Using all of this information we produced a report and presented it to Council Officers, Councillors, Mps and the Police at a presentation even held at the Tumbler Young People Centre on November 22nd 2004.
Click here to see the report.
Westminster Day
"Young Criminals: How do we treat young criminals?"; "Politics and Young People - want to get involved?" and "A Woman's Place in Politics- want to get involved?."
Westminster Day is definitely an enjoyable event.
By Joey Akubeze
Residential
The week end entailed team building exercises, lectures and many other fun activities including night orienteering, a low ropes course and archery.
We found the week end very enjoyable and highly informative and hope that we can use the skills that we learnt in our roles as Youth Council members.
Debates
The Youth Council organise debates on various topics for the local youth community to take part in and have their views heard. The first debate that was held was on the issue of whether the media promotes a negative stereotype of the youth in general. This topic was argued out amongst four members of the Youth Council in two teams of two people each.
The format was so that once the debate about the topic had taken place, a vote was held amongst the audience, of local youths as to whether they agreed with the statement or not.
The side that supported the statement quoted examples of media outlets such as the Daily Mail unfairly promoting a negative image of the youth. The other side argued that while that may be true, there are many positive aspects of youth culture that are highlighted in the media.
In between, the audience got to ask both sides questions about the topic. At the end, the majority of the audience agreed with the statement that an unfair, negative stereotype of the youth is portrayed in the media.
The second debate was held in the same format asking the question as to whether it is justified to fight a war against terrorism.