Politics versus young people – is the National Assembly really listening to young people in Wales?
10 October 2011
Young people in Wales are invited to an event examining how the National Assembly for Wales interacts with them and how it can do more to involve them in its work.
Chaired by broadcaster and presenter of BBC Radio Cymru’s @ebion, Nia Medi, Politics versus Young People has been organised in partnership with the Hansard Society and will try to answer questions such as:
Are politicians and young people talking at each other rather than listening to each other?
Have politicians just paid lip service to the idea of getting young people involved with politics?
Do we need more imaginative and entertaining political education in schools and colleges?
There will be speakers from all four parties in the Assembly including the Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, Christine Chapman AM:
“It is vital that we ensure that our young people feel fully integrated into the political process and that their views and opinions, concerns and wishes, matter.
“Importantly, we must make sure we ask our young people what they want, rather than impose what we think they need.
“The recession has left many of our young people facing a bleak future with fewer employment options.
“This is simply unacceptable, and we need to do all we can to support and champion them.”
The Director of the Hansard Society’s Citizen Education Programme, Michael Raftery, will also be speaking:
“The debate on young people and politics is part of a series of events which we are organising with the National Assembly for Wales on a series of subjects ranging from participation to digital democracy.
“The Hansard Society works with young people throughout the UK to engage them in democracy and politics so it’s great to work with the National Assembly on events such as these.”
There will also be a chance to discuss ideas and ask questions of the panel.
Live updates from the event will also be posted on Twitter using the hashtag #PVYP11 and videos will be posted on the National Assembly’s YouTube page.
Politics versus Young People will take place at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday, 12 October betweeen 18.00 and 19.30.
Speaking at the event will be Christine Chapman AM, Eluned Parrott AM, David Melding AM, Bethan Jenkins AM, Michael Raftery, Director of Citizen Education for the Hansard Society and Aled Jones, Chair of both the Welsh and National Young Farmers Club Youth Forums.
The Question and Answer session will be chaired by BBC broadcaster and presenter of Radio Cymru’s @ebion programme, Nia Medi.
Anyone wishing to attend the event should call the National Assembly booking line on 0845 010 5500 or email: Assembly.Booking@wales.gov.uk