"I′m a sucker for projects where interactive media meets the real world and inspires or makes a difference. Tribe Wanted is just such an initiative. It brings people together on-line and on-the-ground - including on a remote island - to tackle the biggest issues of our day in a totally immersed, committed, fun, human way. How the project is run and presented online shows a very thoughtful, skillful approach to networked media"
- Adam Gee (New Media
Commissioner, Channel 4)

Aug

16

Young Advisors: Inspiring a generation to turn it all around.

Filed Under The ramblings of a creative consultant

Today’s generation of young people is characterised by the stereotypical ‘hoody’ image and is reinforced by the realities of gang warfare and drive-by shootings. It is a very sad reality which we cannot deny exists. Nevertheless, it is the only reflection of a younger generation which is conveyed by the media, but, can a generation turn it all around?

I have come across an incredible Charity called Young Advisors, whose aims, taken from their website state:

Young Advisors are young people aged between 15 and 21, who show community leaders and decision makers how to engage young people in community life, regeneration and renewal.

Young Advisors are trained and employed consultants who guide local authorities, housing associations and other local partners about what it is like for a young person to live, work, learn and play in their neighbourhood.

* They will help organisations ‘youth proof’ their practices, policies, strategies and commissioning.
* They will help you understand how to attract and maintain the interests of young people.
* They will speak out for young people, making sure their thoughts and feelings are considered in decisions that affect them.
* They will work both locally and nationally to share good practice and learn from others.
* They will engage directly with other young people to get them involved in neighbourhood improvements.

In all honesty, I have not seen anything like this in a long time and it gets me flippin’ excited! I can see two strong positives coming out of this charity. Firstly, giving young people a sense of purpose. This charity is empowering young people to realise that not only do they have a voice but that their voice has worth and value as the industry is paying them to listen to their voice. Secondly, it is making industry stand up and listen, this is no partonising attempt to humour young people but it is engaging young people with the real world at a young age. The voice of young people is important, it has worth, it has value and it could realistically shape the industries, organisations and practices of tommorrow.

Albert Einstien stated that, “The pioneers of peace are the young people who refuse to take up arms.” What a true statement. It is exciting that Young Advisors is pioneering a new model of giving a voice to young people and placing worth and value on that voice. Instead of seeing the media full of connotations of a ‘hoody’ generation I look forward to news stories that speak of community transformation and development through a generation who decide to speak up, inform and even inspire all spheres of modern day live from Culture, to politics, to the work place. Young Advisors is well on it’s way to seeing such transformation take place and is to be highly commended.

Check it out: www.youngadvisors.org.uk