Young People and Taking Part

We need young people to be more active in the political process, as without the ideas and effort of young people, we will all lose out – now and in the future. What will communities look like if nobody makes an effort to make them good places to live where people feel safe, healthy and happy? Playing a part in helping make things better for everyone can be immensely rewarding, and is something that should be encouraged.

Young people already do a lot, for example volunteering, giving, and campaigning, but there are other areas that have less appeal to them. For example, older people are much more likely to write or talk to their MP, become involved in forums, vote, find out more about political parties and become involved with them.

So what do young people do?

• two out of three 18-24 year olds didn’t vote in the 2005 general election
• 16% of under 25s are not registered to vote
• the 2005 study, My Voice, My Vote, My Community, into civic action and inaction of people between 11 and 21 found that of young people over the previous two years:
  • 46% took part in a sponsored event
  • 30% gave unpaid time to help people in need in their community
  • 27% helped organise an event for charity
  • 35% signed a petition
  • 23% refused to buy products because they objected to the conditions under which they are produced and /or what they are made from
  • 9% wrote to a newspaper or took part in a phone-in programme to express their views on a topical issue

So, what can you do? You could tell us how we could advise decision makers, public bodies, parents and schools to change the way they do things, so that they are more attractive and open to young people and how we could encourage young people to become more active in community and public life.