Press Releases
Young people speak out to influence Ealing’s decision-makers (PR 911)
Around 120 young people lunched and debated with Ealing’s decision-makers at the borough’s first Speak Out conference at the weekend.
Over a three-course dinner on round tables, the delegates discussed their top issues with councillors, senior council managers and police, health and youth service leaders.
Aged 13 to 19 years, the young people were invited via the borough’s youth forum Ealing Youth Action, youth centres, voluntary groups and schools across the borough.
The topics debated by each table were chosen by young people and included crime and community safety, age of consent, housing, youth and leisure activities, environment, education and employment.
Councillor Ian Gibb, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The conference room simply buzzed with enthusiastic discussion and everyone seized the opportunity to have their say on the issues that matter most to young people.
“This isn’t a one-off event. Their views will help to inform and influence the decisions of councillors and other borough leaders, and we hope this has opened better two-way communication.”
Delegate Mahinderpal Premi said: “The best part was being able to see what people my own age really think, not just what I think they are thinking.”
Mandeep Virdi, of Northolt, said: “At the beginning I was a bit shy and didn’t know what to say but once I got started it was easy. You can talk like you are talking to your friends.”
Balqis Abdulkadir, also of Northolt, said: “What I liked about it was that we were the centre of attention and our views were heard. You can be articulate, get more confidence and have more understanding about what is going on in the borough. It was definitely worth coming.”
Each table comprised around six young people and a councillor or senior manager, plus a youth worker to facilitate introductions, ice-breaking activities and discussions.
Key issues raised and solutions proposed were recorded and will feed into a report on the event. The report will be circulated to councillors, senior council managers and other borough leaders.
The event also included a showcase of recent youth projects including a fashion parade, a film and urban dance.
Councillor Gibb said: “We are urging young people to join the borough’s youth forum Ealing Youth Action, to help us take forward the many issues raised.
“It was interesting to hear that many of the key issues raised by young people, including community safety and cleaner streets, mirror the council’s own priorities.”
The council’s third priority is providing value for money services.
Notes to Editors:
· The inaugural Speak Out conference took place at the
Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Ealing Common, from 11.30am to 3.30pm on
Saturday 20 January.
· Ealing Youth Action, the borough’s youth forum, was
established last year. It is part of the council’s drive to get
young people in Ealing more involved in the democratic process.
· Young people who are interested in joining Ealing
Youth Action should contact Harpal Degun on (020) 8571 0685 or
mobile 07956 525 422.