Mrs Follett attended the Youth Parliament meeting at the Bowes Lyon Centre in Stevenage to listen to young people and get their views on G20 themes such as the current economic crisis, climate change and corporate responsibility.
The aim of the session was to break down the barriers facing young people today and make sure their concerns are heard loud and clear before the G20.
Instead of a round-table discussion, Mrs Follett encouraged youth members to take part in an interactive discussion using a board game. The game, based on snakes and ladders, was developed specifically for the session to encourage a lively debate between members about the environment, the economy and employment prospects.
When the counter landed on an even number, young people and Mrs Follett discussed an opportunity available to young people in today's society. When the counter landed on an odd number, the group discussed a challenge facing young people and the skills and experiences they can use to overcome it.
Speaking after the event, East of England Minister Barbara Follett said:
"This meeting of the Hertfordshire Youth parliament demonstrates the real difference that young people can make to their communities. The G20 is about all of us - whatever our age - and I found it really refreshing to meet with a body whose average age is 16.
"I know that their thoughts and suggestions will be both interesting and useful to Government. After all, it is these young people who will be taking over our economy and our Government in the future. I am glad that they are so well prepared."
Mrs Follett attended the youth parliament session to make sure young people's views are represented at the London G20 summit later this week.
The summit, where leaders of the world's major economies and key international institutions will meet to discuss the global financial crisis, provides a vital opportunity to take the collective action necessary to stabilise the world economy.
This will amount to a Global New Deal to boost growth in the region and create jobs. It will also ensure a green recovery so that communities are environmentally-friendly in the future.
