This is not a photo opportunity

There is little doubt that MPs engaging with young people is a worthwhile pursuit for all concerned. Ed Balls was recently pictured on a rope swing in a playground, whilst David Cameron was last week photographed at a school in the West Midlands. These visits are of course prime for press coverage, but that’s not to say that they cannot also hold great value for both MPs and young people. Arthur Mellows College in Peterborough demonstrated just how beneficial these exchanges can be, when Stewart Jackson MP visited their sixth form recently to discuss his role as an MP.

What Matters to You(ng People)?

That was the question the Hansard Society asked young people at People & Politics day in Westminster last week. Organised by Unlock Democracy, People & Politics day brought some 1800 young people together with senior political figures, political parties and organisations such as the Hansard Society, aiming to make citizenship education personal.

Whilst discussing projects such as Y Vote Mock Elections and HeadsUp with participants, we were also asking what issues matter most to them. With our "blast board" and customised badges we hoped to bring ourselves up to speed with the concerns of young people today. Rather than asking young people to sign up to any particular cause, we wanted them to set the agenda - mirroring the ethos of projects such as Y Vote and HeadsUp.

Click the badges to read more.

What a Waste! The Lord Speaker's Competition for Young People

If you’re under 18 and feel strongly about how we can reduce waste, this is your chance to make your voice heard in Parliament - and win up to £100 for your team.

A House of Lords committee has been examining all aspects of waste reduction and is joining forces with the Hansard Society to encourage young people to enter a new competition to present their views on waste and recycling – by video, audio or written submissions. Following the success of last year’s essay competition, What a Waste! is being sponsored by the Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, and supported by Parliament’s Education Service.

Should our forces still be in Iraq?

Under-18s are tackling a variety of defence issues in a secure and structured online debate, organised by the Hansard Society. Defence d-day...Should our forces be in Iraq? will run from February 25 to March 14, 2008 at www.headsup.org.uk

Young people say no to political correctness

Under-18s taking part in a Hansard Society online debate thought that political correctness has gone too far. They felt that while young people should be taught to be tolerant and respectful, they should be able to talk about discrimination, race and religion without fearing that they are using the wrong vocabulary. They concluded that political correctness leads to uncertainty and threatens free speech.

60% of under-18s more likely to vote after taking part in HeadsUp

A detailed evaluation exercise of the Hansard Society’s HeadsUp innovative website for young people demonstrates a proven way to get young people interested in politics and involved in political debate. The HeadsUp Evaluation Report [PDF, 313KB] is available to download.

Is everyone really treated equally?

Young people debate discrimination with legislators

Follow the online debate at www.HeadsUp.org.uk

Under-18s are tackling the sensitive subject of discrimination in a secure and structured online debate, organised by the Hansard Society. Discrimination in the UK – Fact or Fiction? will run from November 19 to December 7, 2007 at www.HeadsUp.org.uk

Barry Griffiths, HeadsUp Manager, commented: “It will be interesting to see if young people report that racism, ageism and sexism are still occurring. Given the sensitive subject matter, the interaction between legislators and participants could be crucial.”

EU and All That Citizenship Conferences

The UK Office of the European Parliament and the Hansard Society want you to come to the EU and All That! Citizenship Conference. The UK Office will demonstrate their free teaching resources designed to support you in teaching about the European Parliament.

What can MPs do to engage with young people?

The Respect? Advisory Group will discuss the campaign’s research into how MPs could better engage with young people. Natascha Engel MP will respond to the young people’s findings and discuss what MPs can do to engage with young people in their constituencies.

Should experiments on animals be banned?

Under-18s are tackling the emotive subject of animal cruelty in a secure and structured online debate, organised by the Hansard Society. Animal Cruelty – Who cares? will run from September 17 to October 5 2007