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Jo Swinson Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire |
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| 31st July 2010 | Jo Swinson | <jo@joswinson.org.uk> |
This page is currently under construction.Young People
As one of the youngest MPs in Westminster, it seems fitting that my website should have a page dedicated to young people. When I speak to young people in schools in East Dunbartonshire, a real sense of enthusiasm and interest in politics comes across. However, when it comes to getting involved in politics - be it through political parties, charities or other means - it seems interest often starts to wane. Is this because young people really don't care about the future of politics in this country? Of course not! Often the problem can be knowing where to start, how to get involved, or how to figure out your own opinion on the big issues such as Iraq and the environment. This page is intended as a starting point for the young people of East Dunbartonshire; an introduction to the possibilities that are out there for making real change happen. It is also a call to action - if you see a problem, look for a solution; if you have an opinion, make sure it's heard. In other words, don't hang around - get involved! Kirkintilloch SkateparkKirkintilloch Skatepark offers an excellent example of how young people can come together to make a difference to their community and achieve their goals at the same time. A group of young people in Kirkintilloch decided in 2003 they wanted to go about setting a skatepark built in the town, so they set up the Kirkintilloch Skatepark Initiative (KSI). They lobbied politicians - including me - and they raised £500,000 through grants and fundraising events in order to pay for the work needed to build the park. Find out how KSI raised the money to build a skatepark. The park was finally completed and opened in 2009, and it is now a much-loved and well-used facility for the young people of the area. Fore more information, please see the news stories below. Jo's news stories on Kirkintilloch Skatepark18/12/09 Kirky Skatepark gets recognition in Parliament 10/07/09 Jo 'delighted' Skatepark is underway 12/12/08 Jo praises skaters over BBC filming 29/11/07 Jo welcomes KSI to Parliament for funding boost 27/09/05 Jo gives Skatepark plans lottery boost Young people getting involved21/06/10 Turnbull High pupils meet Jo in Parliament 04/03/10 Jo urges young voters to get registered 17/09/09 Local MP and school pupils on Auschwitz visit 11/09/09 Jo raises the flag for Girlguides' centenary 18/08/09 Jo debates with Youth Councillors 11/05/09 Jo applauds Auchinairn asthma campaign 05/05/09 Facebook meeting a success 30/04/09 Local young entrepreneurs win awards 24/04/09 Swinson using Facebook to meet constituents 26/03/09 Future journalists are born at Lenzie Academy 10/03/09 Swinson supports Youth Leading the Way 10/03/09 Jo meets St. Joseph's pupils 05/03/09 St. Ninian's pupils meet Jo Swinson 13/02/09 Boclair Academy comes to Westminster 20/11/08 Green pupils a credit to Millersneuk Primary 07/11/08 Jo praises Bishopbriggs Academy's Arctic explorer 22/10/08 Bishopbriggs 'Haggeye' welcomed to Westminster 09/09/08 Jo Swinson welcomes Douglas Academy pupils to Westminster 28/08/08 Bearsden pupils quiz Jo 17/07/08 Jo supports disabled young campaigners 12/05/08 Jo urges local primary schools to enter national technology competition 25/04/08 Atholl pupils getting into the Fairtrade habit 23/04/08 Young East Dunbartonshire BME Politicians Inspired by Westminster Visit 11/04/08 Jo Swinson set for Liberal Youth launch 27/03/08 Auchinairn pupils welcome Jo 14/02/08 Jo takes up Bishopbriggs pupil's classroom invitation 25/01/08 Lenzie pupils given political insights by Jo 22/01/08 Jo rejoins Milngavie Capt at Westminster 11/01/08 Lenzie pupils quiz Jo for Higher projects 19/12/07 East Dunbartonshire Youth Senate quiz Jo on youth amenities 19/12/07 Jo praises green action at Bearsden school 01/11/07 Torrance Primary pupils quiz Jo 03/10/07 Jo gives Bearsden Academy top marks 01/10/07 Milngavie Primary pupils welcome Jo Swinson 25/09/07 Clober pupils getting into the recycling habit 11/09/07 Douglas Academy welcomes back Jo 03/09/07 Jo praises democratic ethos at St Joseph's 11/07/07 Young Question Time audience grill Jo 22/06/07 Jo meets pupils at Turnbull High 30/03/07 Easter recess allows Jo local school visits 16/03/07 Jo encourages first-time voters at Bishopbriggs Academ 12/02/07 Boclair pupils get a taste of politics 27/09/06 Jo Swinson praises pupil elections at Killermont Primary 14/09/06 Kirkintilloch High pupils get a taste of politics from Jo 09/08/06 'Help Yourselves' - Jo tells East Dunbartonshire young people 18/07/06 Young Lenzie entrepreneurs commended by Jo 19/05/06 Jo welcomes youth election results 30/03/06 Jo pilots new democracy project with Westerton Primary pupils 29/03/06 Local campaigner gets KSI recognition at London awards ceremony 21/02/06 Jo addresses Thomas Muir and Lenzie pupils 16/12/05 Turnbull High welcomes Jo Swinson 12/12/05 Jo Swinson calls on Parliament to encourage young voters 05/12/05 Back to school for Jo Swinson 03/10/05 Jo's prize visit for Thomas Muir pupils 28/09/05 Jo quizzed by S3 pupils Votes at 1612/05/09 Value young people and let them vote 30/01/07 3,000 East Dunbartonshire young people to miss out on Scottish elections 25/01/07 Jo seeks Parliamentary backing for votes at 16 23/01/07 18-year-old challenger to McConnell should pave the way for younger voters 06/11/06 Lowering the voting age will reconnect young people with politics Educational ResourcesThe Internet has some great educational resources on offer. The following websites cover some crucial aspects of politics in Britain and are designed to be accessible to young and old alike. Politics need not be complicated!
CampaignsVotes at 16
The time is right to lower the voting age to 16. The lives of 16 and 17-year olds are as rich and varied as at any other age, and involve considerable responsibilities and complex decisions that are unrecognised in their current democratic rights. I have recently called on the Government to use the Electoral Administration Bill to legislate to lower the voting age to 16 for all public elections in the UK. Many youth-led organisations, such as Votes at 16, have been campaigning for a reduction in the voting age. The Votes at 16 Campaign is targeted at the Government, but also seeks to influence Parliament, the devolved institutions, the Electoral Commission, local councils and councillors, the media, academics and the general public. The campaign believes that the most effective case for change is to be made by young people themselves and young people led organisations will be at the heart of the campaign. To find out more go to www.votesat16.org.uk Young People Now - Positive Images Campaign
Young People Now holds annual positive image awards, which are open to youth groups, young people, local authorities and media outlets, and aim to "celebrate positive portrayals of young people in the media, and proactivity among youth groups and councils in promoting affirmative images of young people." To find out more, visit their website via the link below.
Edinburgh teenager Josie Vallely has been causing a stir as a young, energetic and outspoken campaigner on environmental issues. Josie has received praise from Bob Geldof for her charity work and was recently crowned CosmoGIRL 2005 after caring for African refugees in her own home. Check out Josie's site for adivice on doing your bit to look after the environment:
Junction 49
Junction 49 is a social networking web site like Facebook, specifically designed for young people aged 16-25 who want to make a difference by volunteering. Young people are able to create their own volunteering opportunities by setting up projects around issues that really matter to them. If they don't want to set up a project of their own they can join and offer to help on existing projects created by their peers. Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY.Published and promoted by Jo Swinson, 4 Springfield House, Emerson Road, Bishopbriggs G64 1QE The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |