http://activecitizens.net/ en M.Raftery@hansard.lse.ac.uk Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T15:55:32+00:00 http://activecitizens.net/blog/view/what-difference-can-i-make http://activecitizens.net/blog/view/what-difference-can-i-make#When:15:55:32Z If you work hard and campaign about an issue you care about you can make a big difference. A great example of this is the recent Scout campaign on the Rain Tax. The Rain Tax probably doesn't sound like an issue that would get anyone very excited but it was a proposed law that would have caused many Scout Groups and other clubs to shut down. So what did the Scouts do? They campaigned and forced the Government to change their plans. How did they do it? See the video above. Campaign, Scouts, 2010-03-11T15:55:32+00:00 http://activecitizens.net/blog/view/taking-part-making-a-difference http://activecitizens.net/blog/view/taking-part-making-a-difference#When:14:57:47Z Politics, politics, politics! Men and women in suits sat in parliament - exciting stuff ain’t it? A campaigning virgin voter talks about what makes them tick Well actually it can be! Pretty much all of our everyday life is governed by politics. You walk out of your front door and pass a bus stop with a billboard - what goes on that billboard? Well that’s controlled by politics. You continue along the street and pass a boarded up greengrocers next door to Tesco’s - why is the greengrocers closed? - That’s down to politics. From the subjects we're taught at school and college to the quality of our school meals - ultimately it’s all controlled by politics! Q: But can I actually make a difference? A: Well yes you can! There are many organisations out there such as the UK Youth Parliament and the British Youth Council who exist specifically to empower young people and lobby parliament on issues that matter to young people. Already young people are running successful campaigns which MPs and other key decision makers are listening to. I've been involved in many campaigns such as campaigns for votes at 16, a campaign for fairer travel fares, and campaigns to end child poverty. Q: Do MPs really listen? A: Yes and No. MPs must be aware that we are their future voters and so listening to our ideas and concerns is important. Fact - Half the world's population are under 25 - not listening to young people is alienating half the world! By attending events such as the Virgin Voters events as mentioned on this site – you CAN make your voice heard! We are the adults of the future - vote in the coming election and have a say in who YOU want running our country, and how you want it to be run! Campaign, England, Government, UK, Voting, 2010-03-08T14:57:47+00:00 http://activecitizens.net/blog/view/With-limited-funds-all-round-as-a-result-of-the-recession-can-we-make-a-con http://activecitizens.net/blog/view/With-limited-funds-all-round-as-a-result-of-the-recession-can-we-make-a-con#When:17:30:57Z Recently the Department for Energy and Climate change (DECC) introduced a pilot scheme for a DECC Youth Advisory Panel. This panel is made up of 15 different representatives, aged 16- 25 all voicing views for their own organisations. Charlotte, a young campaigner talks about her experiences in campaigning on climate change. These organisations were widely mixed, varying from Scouting to The National Youth Organisation or Youth Parliament and Oxfam. I was happily surprised how many organisations care and want to tackle the issue of climate change. The beginning of the day kicked of with a talk from the ‘2050 team’ who are working on ways to achieve the high targets of the UK’s 80% emission cuts by mid-century. After the introduction we got into smaller groups and discussed our thoughts on how to change people’s views on carbon cutting and what we think the world will look like in 2050. Then Ed Milliband (secretary of state for energy and climate change) came to discuss our ideas, including issues on reducing transport and housing emissions, which the DECC were very interested in. Also discussed was what young people view as more important – changing technology to reduce emissions or changing people’s views of cutting carbon emissions. On the whole I'm glad that young people are being listened to. Ed Miliband seemed really motivated and interested in what we had to say. I thought that the whole day was really inspiring and it was amazing to meet other likeminded young people who are also reaching out and trying to make a difference, I’m already looking forward to the next panel meeting. Ed Miliband strongly agreed that young people’s input is needed; after all it’s our future that climate change will affect. So he assured that this panel would help influence future policies and the voices of our organisations are being listened to. The youth panel has intentions to regularly meet again to finalise future plans for the panel and young people’s role in fighting against climate change. I know a lot of people and organisations feel that there could have been more achieved at the Copenhagen summit, and there is always room to do more. But by continuing with forums for young people like the youth advisory panel, young people can be a part of the solution. Campaign, England, Oxfam, Scouts, UK, 2010-02-25T17:30:57+00:00