GOL GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE

The day kicked off with presentations from the Slambassadors a political spoken word outfit, Preston Manor School and Genesis Community who voiced their top issues affecting young people. This culminated in a heated and thoughtful debate in the Chamber where the Mayor, Jennifer Izekor (Director of Children and Learners in GOL who will soon take up post leading on policy around children and young people across London), and Katarina Getsevich, a young activist, answered questions from the audience. Topics ranged from transport, education, bullying and crime, where the Mayor was put through his paces as the young people put forward the issues they contend with from day to day.

After suitably school-like packed lunches of sandwiches, crisps and fruit, several workshops were run covering ways children and young people can be more involved in their communities, giving them more of say on how things are run and the issues affecting them. This was explored in many ways, including through creative writing, painting, filmmaking, and an online discussion forum.

The Chamber was then the location of the final Showdown where several young artists and dancers performed rap, soul, bhangra and urban dance in an impressive and vibrant display of young talent. Highlights included an 11 year old diva Monet from West London who would have silenced even Simon Cowell with her Gospel rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge over Troubled Water, and Leon who melted hearts with his lyrics based on his real life experiences.

All agreed it was a productive and successful day bringing to the forefront the everyday concerns of teens, and no doubt the young Londoners will make good use of the Network to have their say on the running of their capital city.