Press Release

UK Youth Parliament summit to tackle issue facing young people

Members of the Youth Parliament from across the UK are gathering this week to tackle issues of importance to young people. The four day summit will see the launch of three national campaigns on public transport, university tuition fees and recycling, as well as debates on sex and relationships education in primary schools, terrorism and teenage stress. Other issues expected to top the agenda are bullying, climate change and young people’s rights.

George Lane, Member of Youth Parliament for Kirklees, aged 14, commented;

"Young people deserve the chance to have their voices heard, and this summit will give the elected Members of Youth Parliament the power to make change in all areas of young people’s lives."

Andy Hamflett, Chief Executive of the UK Youth Parliament commented,

"The UK Youth Parliament Youth Summit is the perfect retort to anyone who says that young people aren’t interested in their communities, as it draws hundreds of committed 11-18-year-olds from all across the UK. The summit is a fantastic mix of training, awareness-raising and calls to action, all built on boundless passion for achievable change and making a difference.

"However, the real strength of all of that activity is the path it lays for much greater action in the months ahead – on a range of issues which young people say are important to them. I really can’t wait to hear what the Members of Youth Parliament feel they can achieve in the year ahead, particularly their plans for reaching out to many thousands more young people through their work.  I urge anyone with an interest to keep checking back to our website for regular updates on activity."

The summit is being held at Exeter University from 19th-22nd July 2008.