Participation Works

The Youth Citizenship Commission (YCC) has published the final report of their recommendations on lowering the voting age and youth citizenship.

The YCC was set up in 2008 to examine young people’s understanding of citizenship and increase their participation in politics.  The Commission looked at a range of issues relating to democracy and youth engagement, including whether the voting age should be lowered to 16.

Key findings from the Commission’s research include that 82% of young people in the UK don’t trust politicians to make the right decisions for them and 76% of young people don’t feel they can influence government decisions.

The research findings are organised into the three themes of empowered citizenship, connecting with young people and changing the way decision makers and institutions work. On the theme of empowered citizenship the research found that citizenship learning and experience needs to be embedded from a young age and that citizenship education should include practical experience to support classroom learning and a greater focus on political literacy.

On the theme of connecting with young people the research found that the majority of young people are not engaged with the political process as they do not feel empowered, lack information or do not believe they can make a difference. A young person quoted in the report said, “You can be really active but what’s the point if it doesn’t change anything?”. Young people also communicate differently using mediums such as social networking and the use of formal processes and language can put them off.

Other findings include that young people want to help however many do not know how government, particularly local government, works and how it benefits the local community. The report argues that politicians and decision makers need to consider ways to make politics and citizenship activities more appealing to young people and listen to and be responsive to young people’s views.

The YCC has launched sixteen recommendations today based on the report’s findings, which include the following:

• DCSF and the devolved administrations should ensure that the delivery of citizenship education is consistent and effective
• Schools should have student representatives on the governing body
• Nominated government departments should appoint annual scrutiny panels composed of young people to advise on specific issues
• Schools should have a duty to ensure that all eligible pupils are offered supported opportunities to register to vote at school
• An award scheme should be developed for young people who are involved in citizenship activities
• Politicians should decide on whether the voting age should be lowered to 16

The YCC’s full report and its recommendations on votes at 16 can be downloaded from their website.

Fri, 26/06/2009 - 16:03