Department for Education
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Dhanda: listening to the voice of youth

Dhanda: listening to the voice of youth

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS News Release (2007/0100) issued by The Government News Network on 4 June 2007

Youth Minister Parmjit Dhanda is taking to the streets to find out what young people really think, in a national tour that will take in an anti-gun club, a mobile media lab and the set of a popular soap opera. His movements will be shadowed by a group of young film makers.

Parmjit Dhanda will be making seven stops on his trip around the country, visiting a wide range of projects and youth groups, canvassing their opinions on topics such as society, Government and the state of modern Britain. He plans to talk to as many young people as time allows - including those from the poorest and most challenging backgrounds.

His findings will be reported back to key policy formers and opinion makers in a key note speech at The Youth Summit on 25 June. They will also be used to inform future thinking around youth policy in the Department for Education and Skills, building on the Youth Matters strategy of 2005.

Parmjit Dhanda will be joined on some of his visits by other Government ministers who are keen to learn more about youth issues, including Culture Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Miliband.

Other elements of the tour will include:

* Brainstorming and feedback sessions, facilitated by The National Youth Agency, one of which will take place on the set of popular soap opera Hollyoaks;

* A survey of young people's priorities and opinions, undertaken by DfES' consultation unit and made available via youth targeted websites;

* The making of a short film by young people about the tour, assisted by First Light Movies;

* An online diary and feedback forum, hosted by Parmjit Dhanda, through the Need2Know website;

* Online discussion with Parmjit Dhanda through the Channel 4 Education website.

Parmjit Dhanda said:

"The idea is to start an open and honest dialogue between young people and Government. My job is to shape future policy relating to young people, so it only makes sense that I listen to what they say.

"I believe there is a big gap between people's perception of young people and the reality. The majority of press stories about young people are negative - yet they participate in more community and volunteering work than any other age group.

"There's also a misapprehension about Government's relationship with young people. We don't just want to slap ASBOs on them - we want to give them a chance to release their potential and help them get involved in positive activities in their community. Overwhelmingly we find if you give young people the chance, they'll exceed your expectations.

"I know that not everything I hear on the tour will be positive - I expect some anger and frustration from young people who feel unfairly treated by society, or don't have enough to do in their area. But it's important to listen unflinchingly - that's the best way to start building more effective services for our young citizens."

Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

"It is essential that we do more to celebrate and nurture the positive contribution young people can make to our communities and neighbourhoods.

"The first step to doing so must be to listen to what young people think, feel and say about the whole range of issues that matter most to them.

"Only then can we engage them in a lasting dialogue and together improve the services available to help them unleash their potential"

NOTES TO EDITORS

Parmjit Dhanda's schedule is as follows:

5 June - North East: Streetz Cafe community youth project and the Pennywell Youth Project, 'Beatfreakz', which helps boost self-esteem through music, both in Sunderland. There will also be a dialogue event at Pennywell.

6 June - South East: MV project, Eastbourne, to meet a volunteer project for disabled, special needs and 'NEET' groups. Children's Fund project providing services to young people in rural areas, near Hastings. Xtrax project in Hastings, an independent charity that helps deprived young people.

12 June - South West: Knowle West Media Centre which is creating a mobile media lab for young people and Awaz Utaoh, a community group tackling gun culture with young Asians, both in Bristol. There will be a dialogue event at The Patchway Centre in South Gloucestershire.

14 June - East Midlands: Take One Studio project aiming to take music into Nottingham's highest areas of deprivation and TumTum Housing Association project for young mothers. He will also be speaking at the Health Challenge roadshow in Nottingham.

19 June - North West: Bolton Lads and Girls Club, which offers state of the art facilities to vulnerable young people. Various projects run by Knowlsey Borough Council. The set of Hollyoaks soap opera, where a dialogue event will be held.

25 June - London: The Youth Summit (http://www.youthsummit.co.uk)

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