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Local Democracy Week 12-18th October – Question Time Sandwell Event

 Sandwell Active Youth Involvement Team (SAY IT) has been working with the Sandwell Youth Parliament and Shadow Youth Cabinet to organise an event for National Local Democracy Week which is held every year as part of the Local Government Association’s Local Democracy Campaign.

This year it is taking place from Monday 12 October until Sunday 18 October 2009.

The Local Democracy Week campaign is all about making ‘harder to hear’ groups, including young people aware of their local council and getting them more involved in politics.

Research for the Local Government Association by Ipsos MORI shows that just a quarter of 11-16 year olds believe that their local Councillor is the best person to approach in order to change something in their community.

Furthermore, the same research indicates that only one in three 11-16 year olds have ever met a Councillor or MP, but that those who have ‘are more likely to express feelings of political engagement and interest’.

Local Democracy Week provides a great opportunity for the Council to build on the work it has already undertaken with ‘harder to hear’ groups. This is why we will be running an event during this week, and the weeks surrounding Local Democracy Week, to highlight the ways that young people can get involved in democracy and politics.

The event will take place on:

          Friday 16 October 2009

          Question Time Sandwell – Debate

          6 pm (5pm for refreshments) in the
          Council Chamber, Oldbury Council House,
          Freeth Street, Oldbury

Young people are invited to attend a question time style debate with national/ local politicians and other representatives from key groups and organisations.

Attendee’s will have the opportunity to put their burning questions to the panel on identified local and national issues (a list of the National issues put forward by young people for the historic debate taking place at the House of Commons, organised by United Kingdom Youth Parliament is attached).

To attend the event you will need to complete and return a booking form by 5th October and also a parental consent form for each young person attending.  These are attached.  For further information or enquiries please contact Shobha Sharma on 0845 352 7532 or e-mail shobha_sharma@sandwell.gov.uk.  Please note places maybe limited and will be allocated by receipt date of booking forms.

Local Democracy Week – Youth Debate booking form
National Debate topics
Parent Consent – Local Democracy Week
Poster 2009

This is your opportunity to take PART, to take POWER!??

For “things for young people to do, places to go, and for someone to go to in Sandwell” visit: www.justyouth.org.uk