So what is International Citizen Service (ICS)? ICS is your chance to make a real difference to the world we live in. It’s a global volunteering experience which gives young adults from across the UK the opportunity to volunteer around the globe and contribute to the fight against global poverty. You get to do this by living and working in poor communities in Africa or Asia or even Latin America, thereby learning firsthand about the challenges of global poverty and how you can help address it. You don’t need any previous experience or qualification to take part. All you need is enthusiasm and a commitment to making a difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people – so why not apply today at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ics or http://www.facebook.com/ics and become a Global Citizen. ICS has six specialist agencies offering its programme and among them is Restless Development, which is the agency I will be volunteering with this May in South Africa.

Restless Development is a leading youth-led development agency because we believe young people have the energy and commitment to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. This belief has guided our efforts for 25 years, where we have been working with both international volunteers (like me) and young people in Africa and Asia to deliver programmes tackling some of the biggest issues facing young people today; such as HIV and unemployment. Restless Development has shown that over time, when young people work together with a common purpose, change is possible. Yes we can!

You can find out more about our work and even engage with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/restlessdev. If you like what you see then feel to like our page.

Here is an example of a Restless Development programme in South Africa, which despite being the most economically powerful country in Africa, unemployment remains extremely high and the country also has the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. On the South African placement you might be delivering programmes as a peer educator, based in a rural community in East London, Eastern Cape. As a peer educator you’ll provide guidance and advice directly to young people on issues which matter to them such as teenage pregnancy or gender based violence. These are real development projects that will make a real difference in the lives of the world’s poorest young people.

But just in case you are still uncertain about your capacity to make a difference in the world, let me tell you why I joined ICS. I was born in one of the world’s poorest countries Uganda (nicknamed the pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill) and moved to Great Britain when I was six years old. Since then I’ve visited Uganda several times and on each occasion I’m always confronted by young people living in absolute poverty. And so I joined Restless Development in order to understand why such poverty persists in large parts of the world, and because I wanted to be a part of development projects that will make a real difference in the lives of young people who were born into the same circumstances I was born in. I also joined Restless Development because I believe in the potential for young people to come together and lead development in their own countries, and I wanted to help them realise that fact. Plus there is the prospect of gaining new skills and experience alongside tackling global poverty which attracted me Restless Development – this includes skills like effective communication, leadership, team work and decision making, which are all essential for whatever career you decide to pursue in life, especially for someone like me who wants to be a Community Organiser. These are the reasons I applied for International Citizen Service, and actually made it onto the Restless Development programme.

If you are excited about the prospect of spending 12 weeks in a new and challenging environment, learning new skills and meeting new people, then you are just what ICS are looking for so why not apply today at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ics – the world needs you.

And to all those who are seriously considering applying for ICS, I would just like to add one final reason I think you should really seize this once in a lifetime opportunity, and that reason is the belief that we are all connected as one people. If there’s a student in India without a voice, that matters to me, even if I’m free to express myself in Great Britain. If there’s a young boy in Sierra Leone who’s not qualified for a job and is forced to live on less than $1 a day, that makes my life poor, even if it’s not my brother. If there’s young women in South Africa growing up without guidance and advice on sexual and reproductive health, that threatens the wellbeing of us all. It’s that fundamental belief – I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sisters’ keeper – that inspires ICS volunteers. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, whilst also lending a hand to those less fortunate than us. It’s what defines us as humans and as Global Citizens – it means to care for one another as we would care for our own (to treat others as we would like to be treated).

Eight year old Harold Wilson

In 1924 a young boy stood outside of 10 Downing Street – the British Prime Minister’s residence – to have his photo taken. He was then eight years old. Forty years later, in 1964, Harold Wilson, the boy in the photo, became Prime Minister himself and fulfilled a dream he believed in four decades ago.

Today, a movement which began in a classroom at Wilmington Academy was invited to the highest office in the land. An invitation which truly reflects Bite the Ballot’s growing presence on the mainstream political scene, as well as the efforts of all our young people who have got us this far. To think that only a few months ago we wouldn’t have imagined that we would be strolling through Downing Street, on our way to meet with the Prime Minister’s Youth Adviser Sean Bailey, but yet it was happening. It was happening because of the passions and conviction we have for engaging other young people in the decisions which affect our lives.

Downing Street

 As we strolled through Downing Street, a street built by and named after Sir George Downing in 1682, I thought to myself this is just a street. But it’s where it is that makes all the difference – it’s at the very heart of our government – right next to the Treasury, Whitehall and Parliament. It’s at the centre of all the action.

Speaking of action, suddenly the moment we’ve all been waiting for finally arrived. We were standing right outside the most famous door in the world – NUMBER 10 DOWNING STREET – Mike could hardly contain himself. And just as Harold Wilson had done, we also took a photo outside the big black door.

While standing on the doorstep I immediately noticed the inscription on the letterbox, ‘First Lord of the Treasury’ – the title given to Prime Ministers centuries ago. And of course our first Prime Minister was Sir Robert Walpole, a man who held the office for over twenty years. In fact Walpole was such a successful Prime Minister that King George III gave him a house at Downing Street – a house I was now standing in front of. Although Number 10 was a personal gift to Walpole, he was such a remarkable man that he gave his house to the nation, by insisted it be passed on to his successors.

Then the moment came, to see what lies behind the most famous door in the world. We finally entered Number 10 – an entrance that’s been the gateway to power for more than 50 men and one woman. Once inside the Entrance Hall, we could hardly believe that our movement had made it to corridors of power on HOPE. We were now standing in the footsteps of the many giants of history who have walked across this Hall. It was so inspiring.

A few minutes later, as we were soaking in the atmosphere Sean Bailey picked us up and we made our way to his office.  For those of you who don’t know Sean, he has been working with young people for over twenty years and after the last election he was appointed Youth Adviser to the PM. Personally he is a funny and a straightforward kind of guy. And unlike the cold tea he served us this morning the conversation we had was very warm and reassuring. He was very eager to help us make Bite the Ballot a success for British democracy.

Some of the highlights from our meeting include: A PLANNED RECEPTION for YOUNG PEOPLE at NUMBER 10 DOWNING STREET later next year; the possibility of the PM’S ENDORSEMENT; more FUNDING opportunities; and above all BITE THE BALLOT is ONE of 3 groups SEAN WILL BE CHAMPIONING next year – WHAT A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR BTB.

OH YEAH!!! 2012 WILL BE THE BITE THE BALLOT YEAR!!!

And just before we finished the meeting, Sean offered us some words of encouragement: he said that he was inspired by how we’ve made it this far on just the hopes of our young people. He added that “Possessing a passion for change – having that genuine enthusiasm for politics, along with an ability to keep going even when the road ahead seems steep, are powerful tools for success.” That’s what he said.

So let us keep building on that success – let us keep marching towards that distant horizon and a better day for young people across Britain.

A young man on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street

Let us remember the young boy who visited London eight decades ago, and a later-to-be-famous photo was taken of him outside 10 Downing Street, because at that moment, Harold Wilson was just an eight year old kid with a big dream, just as we are a young movement with big dreams. But what we both came to discover about our country is that, our freedom and our democracy do not lie in a fancy palace in Westminster, or even behind the big black door at Downing Street, but rather it lives in the hearts of all our people – it resides within all those who decide to stand up and contribute to the wellbeing of this great country. That’s why an eight year old kid was able to grow up and fulfil his dreams; it’s what led our movement from Dartford to Downing Street today; and that’s why I’m sure one day we’ll fulfil our every dream, and our highest aspirations. And on that day people would look back to this day, and they will say that “This is where it all began.” 

BITE THE BALLOT – BE THE DIFFERENCE

Usaama at the European Parliament Assembly

Bonjour, merci and au revoir were all common vocabulary during my 3 day trip to Brussels. The trip was short but the educational experience I gained was far reaching. Even before embarking on the journey I knew Brussels was an extraordinary place, it was the capital of a little known country Belgium but also the beating heart of the European Union, all of which excited me.

We spent our first night soaking in the foreign atmosphere, marveling at the grandest of architecture in the centre square of Brussels. The square was so grand it was actually titled the Grand Place: it was surrounded by guildhalls, the city’s Town Hall, the Breadhouse and numerous chocolate stores that would give even Charlie’s chocolate factory a run for their money. The Grand Place’s architecture consumed most of my camera space on that first night.

The Youth Hostel we stayed at was surprising acceptable. The Hostel’s chef who we nicknamed ‘Mama Youth Hostel’ cooked for us every night. One night she cooked an unusual meal for us which most of us found difficult to stomach. The meal was unusual because it combined pork sausages with mash potatoes and carrots with bits of leaf. We later discovered that this was the national dish and that we were actually the exceptional ones for disliking it.

Lots of Belgium Chocolate

One remarkable landmark we discovered in Brussels, which I’m sure tickled all of us was the Manneken Pis. It’s a small bronze fountain sculpture portraying a naked little boy urinating into the fountain’s basin. The myth surrounding the sculpture was that the boy urinated on fuses connected to cannons which were aimed at the city of Brussels, and by doing so he defused the bombs. His statue is therefore a symbol of courage. However what we found unstoppably funny wasn’t merely the indecency of a boy pissing, who we later dubbed ‘the pissing boy’, but the joke was that imitations of the sculpture were everywhere. There were ‘pissing boy’ key chains, t-shirts, chocolate bars, bottle openers and more ridiculously a ‘pissing boy’ sculpture which urinated wine at one restaurant we passed.

On the morning of our European Parliament visit, things got off to an interesting start. I was forced to eat out for breakfast because Mama Youth Hostel’s cooking came back for an encore, and in addition to that our teacher Ivan got us lost en route to the European Parliament by walking us in circles (literally).

Finally we arrived at the European Parliament. The buildings that made up the Parliament were spectacular glass structures, a true testament to the spectacular architect Atelier Espace Leopold. We began our tour of the Parliament with a briefing on the institutions of the European Union and the controversies that surround them. The most important institution is the European Commission which is the Executive branch of the EU and has the power to propose legislation including the annual budget. This institution is also the most controversial because it wields unprecedented power whilst surprising unelected by the citizens of the 27 member states it governs. It’s the main recipient of the phrase ‘democratic deficit’ which suggests the European Union lacks an electoral mandate.

The Council of Ministers is next down the chain of European seniority. It’s an institution made up of representatives who are appointed by the 27 national governments in the Union. The institution has the power to pass or reject the Commission’s legislation and Commissioners are nominated from this Council. This institution is also criticised for its undemocratic credentials.

The European Parliament Assembly

The most democratic EU institution is the very building that we were standing in on that very day: the European Parliament. The Parliament is the only institution directly elected by the citizens of the 27 member states. It too has the power to reject or pass the Commission’s legislation but more importantly the Parliament has the power to supervise the 27 Commissioners, and is also the only institution that can sack them for misconduct. It’s clear from the above that the European Parliament cannot be criticised for lacking an electoral mandate but it is however critiqued for its lack of power to initiate legislation (it can only amend it). One surprising fact I discovered in the briefing was the extent to which Britain is so euro-sceptic: the majority of Members we elected to the European Parliament were from political parties who most rejected Europe like UKIP (UK Independence Party), the Conservative Party and even the British National Party. I thought this said a lot about how our fellow citizens view the European Union.

Last but not least is the European Court of Justice which is responsible for ensuring directives passed by other EU institutions (in other words EU law) are implemented by the member states, and also irons out disagreements between member states concerning policy.

Some of the most shocking revelations we uncovered at the briefing were about the over 600 translators hired by the Parliament to break the language barrier that exist amongst the linguistically diverse member states. The second European Parliament in Strasbourg (France) was also a source of vigorous debate in the briefing. This is because the second Parliament building is only active 12 weeks a year during plenary secessions, but yet it is open all year round, wasting taxpayers’ money. However to shut the building down, it would require the consent of all 27 member states in the Union and France would obviously never ratify the policy because by hosting the Parliament, they possess both political prestige and it provides jobs for the local economy of Strasbourg.

Just as everyone was beginning to doze off I attempted to breathe new life into the briefing by cracking a terrible joke. I suggested that the current President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy looked a lot like Mr Burns from the Simpsons. There were some chuckles around the room but the lady conducting the briefing was quick to leap to his defence. She told us that he was extremely hardworking, understood the EU extensively and although he didn’t look it, he possessed admirable charisma which I’m guessing she was clearly taken in by. I should also add that she said he wasn’t nearly as evil as Mr Burns from the Simpsons. I should also point out that the position Mr Van Rompuy holds as the official face of Europe is highly criticised for being so important and yet unelected by the Union.

European Parliament

Eventually the briefing came to a close and the climax of our entire journey was now at hand. At last, we emerged through the viewers’ gallery and as we marched ahead the European deliberating chamber opened up before us. It was a hemicycle, divided up into political preference and right in the middle of the chamber was a speaker’s podium, with each member state’s flag hanging directly above it. I might add that the ceiling lights were also magnificent. Well anyway, at that moment as you might imagine I was overwhelmed by a whirlwind of memories of debates taking place in the very chamber I was standing in. One particular debate came to mind which I thought summed up the majority of Britons views towards Europe. It was a debate where the UKIP leader Nigel Farage was criticising the EU President Van Rompuy, and broadly criticising the whole idea of a European political Union. Mr Farage uttered the words “Who are you? The British people don’t know you; the British people didn’t vote for you; the British people don’t want you!!!” He uttered them rather aggressively I might add. You see the thing is – a lot of us think Britain’s future in Europe is to be a part of the Union whilst also expressing our hostility to it at the same time. I used to feel that same cynicism, but after having studied the subject and discovered the heart of Europe for myself, I don’t feel that way anymore. Je suis européen. Ich möchte ein Teil einer Europäischen Union. Credo che l’Europa è il futuro e la Gran Bretagna dovrebbe essere una parte di esso.

Bite the Ballot member Usaama at the Cenotaph - Salute to the Glorious Dead

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. This is true everyday but no more so than at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day; of the eleventh month; in 2011. On this day in 1918, the most terrible war the world had ever seen ended. 9 million young men on both sides had died. Two years later, 91 years ago today, the Cenotaph was unveiled by King George V. An empty tomb built as a memorial to the million and a half British and Empire men killed in that war. And on that day many in the watching crowds must have hoped that the experience of that war would be enough to end all wars. But we know that it didn’t. Since then our brave men and women in uniform have seen action in World War 2; Korea; the Falklands; Northern Ireland; and of course Iraq and Afghanistan. I believe that no matter what our political opinions on these wars or on war itself may be, the courage and sacrifice made by our troops: expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms, should always be worthy of our honor and our respect.

It’s this belief which led me to attend the Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the Cenotaph, to pay my respects in person. And unlike most Sundays I got up really early that day and I was at Westminster by 7.45am. Whilst standing in the security queue, I was fortunate enough to meet an Irish World War 2 Veteran: he was very gentle but also a passionate advocate for his beliefs. He told me that while “The wars of the past were morally justified – the Axis Powers had to be confronted.” He was less fulsome in his support of recent interventions, but he told me that he will “Always honor those who serve.” Every year, he travels to the Cenotaph to remember his fallen Comrades, and join in the parade. After we passed through security we got separated because he was going to be taking part in the Royal British Legion parade. I walked around for a while looking for a spot with a good view and then luckily, I came across people sitting on a high platform overlooking the Cenotaph. I took a seat beside them. Among them was an Irish couple who were so friendly. Immediately we started talking about the Northern Ireland peace process and then the murals which continue to scar Belfast. They also told me about the great time they had at the Festival of Remembrance, at the Royal Albert Hall.

Then before we knew it, Big Ben was approaching 11. Members of the Armed Forces got into position. What was really amazing and what I’ve always admired about our Armed Forces is their discipline, and the way they organise themselves. The Bands of the Guards Division were also magnificent.

Then just before 11, Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Party; as well as the Prime Minister and other political representatives; and members of the Armed Forces, all gathered around the Cenotaph. Big Ben struck 11

Moment of silence

 and we all fell silent, representing the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, when the guns of Europe fell silent. A field gun was fired to mark the two minute silence. In that silence I was reminded of a piece of scripture which states that ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ I was reminded of the repatriations of 345 servicemen and women on the High Street of Royal Wootton Bassett – the tears flowing from their families, and the members of the public who gather there to honor those who have died to keep us safe. But as someone who is without family serving in the military or a military history, I could only channel my gratitude to all those who join a long line of servicemen represented in another memorial buried deep in Westminster Abbey. This is the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Warrior’. And ‘Beneath this stone rests the body of a British Warrior, unknown by name or rank, brought from France to lie among the most illustrious of the land and buried here on Armistice Day II NOV: 1920…He gave the most that man can give life itself…For God, for King and Country, For loved ones home and Empire, for the sacred cause of Justice and the Freedom of the world.’ A memorial in which all those who die in the service of our country, and those whose names we’ll never know are commemorated. For they have given the most that man can give, for the sacred cause of justice and the freedom of the world. And for that they shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn them. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. A field gun was fired again to mark the end of the two minute silence. This was followed by Royal Marines buglers sounding Last Post.

The Queen then led the nation in Remembrance by laying a wreath on the Cenotaph. This was followed by the Duke of Edinburgh; the Prince of Wales; the Duke of Cambridge; the Prime Minister and members of his Government; the Chiefs of the Defense Staff; and representatives of the Commonwealth who fought for our country, like my ancestry home Uganda. In the thick of this, the Irish couple who had better eyesight than mine took it upon themselves to help me spot the individuals laying wreaths on the Cenotaph, they even managed to spot the Duchess of Cambridge in the windows above, along with Mrs. Cameron.

Where PM Churchill led us to victory

After the wreath laying ceremony, the Lord Bishop of London led us in prayer, “O Almighty God, that we who here do honor to the memory of those who have died in the service of their country and of the Crown, may be so inspired by the spirit of their love and fortitude that we may live only to thy glory and to the service of mankind…Amen.” Then the Bands of the Guards Division sung a hymn, giving me an opportunity to exercise my singing voice. Once they fell silent, the Lord Bishop of London offered another prayer, “Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee, to give, to fight, to toil, to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that knowing that we do thy will. Amen.” This prayer really touched me, almost as much as the first prayer had, because it reflected my desire to give back to my community as a Community Organiser. The Lord’s Prayer then followed.

“God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen. Send her victorious, happy and glorious; long to reign over us. God save the Queen.” After the singing of the national anthem, the official part of the ceremony came to an end. What came next was the parade of Ex-Servicemen, organised by the Royal British Legion. Unfortunately there were no Veterans from the Great War but for the Veterans that were there, there march-past were marked by thunderous applause, from all of us in the watching crowds.

Those Veterans have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Warrior’ whisper through ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment in time – it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all. For as much as our Servicemen can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the British people upon which this nation relies. It’s this spirit that led women to work in our factories during the Great War; it’s what comforted families during the darkest hours of the Second World War; and today, this spirit continues to drive our people to live free and open lives, in defiance of senseless terror – because we are Britannia.

So let us mark this day in remembrance, of our brave men and women in uniform, and of who we are and how far we have travelled.

And in the words of Winston Churchill, the greatest of all Britons, “In the long years to come, not only will the people of this island but the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done, and they will say ‘do not despair, do not yield…march straight forward.” With courage and purpose; with humility and with hope; with faith in the promise of tomorrow, let us march straight forward together, as one people, for Queen and country, and for the sacred cause of justice and the freedom of the world.

I was not engaged at school or uni and my parents never mentioned to me the importance of voting, in fact my mum now votes because I told her to look in to it and vote for what she believes in, otherwise stop complaining!

Yes, I agree, it is very easy to be dismissive and say ‘they’re all the same’ or ‘nothing ever changes’ but ask yourself, what good does that do for US? It only then ensures that an even smaller group of people control how WE live and the decisions affecting OUR future.

I do believe in change, it is the reason I am so passionate about inspiring young people to play a role and create the changes themselves. At last week’s event in Parliament we had close to 200 young people come in, many of whom for the first time, and have their say! It was amazing. The thing that really stood out for me was a young lad who made the final comment and how that one comment proves we are doing the right thing… he said:

I had no interest in politics before tonight and thanks to you guys here (referring to the other young people attending) I now have a real interest and I will be voting in 2015!

That makes it all worth while.

I leave you with this thought. Another young person from last week’s debate said that direct action was the only way things will change. I challenged him and said that one thing that has never been done in history was a 60% turnout of First Time Voters on polling day – if it has never been done, how do we know if it can spark change? He and the rest of the guys agreed, so lets inspire each other and work to the biggest turnout of young voters ever for 2015 and in the meantime challenge those in power, to ensure we have something to vote for!

So in the words of Rocky Bolboa…

“If I can change, you can change… everyboday can change!”

]]> http://www.bitetheballot.co.uk/inspired-by-rocky-iv/feed/ 0 http://www.bitetheballot.co.uk/young-entrepreneurs-on-the-rise-despite-failing/ http://www.bitetheballot.co.uk/young-entrepreneurs-on-the-rise-despite-failing/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:47:11 +0000 Sophie http://www.bitetheballot.co.uk/?p=1305 There has been an increase in young entrepreneurs starting up their own businesses in the past three years, despite most going bust after two years.

Almost half of the new ventures fail after two years, and a further fifth fail after three years, according to a report by information services firm Experian.

Simon Street of Experian said: “Such strong entrepreneurial appetite amongst young people is exciting and encouraging to see, yet just one third of business start-ups with a young sole director survives for more than three years.”

Tom Kimber started up his own fruit smoothie business at the age of 19 in his hometown of Stafford.
‘JuiceBox’ was started after Tom had seen similar businesses in Australia, and thought he would give it a go over here.

He didn’t have much help from the government. He said: “There was so much we didn’t have a clue how to do, so we just made it up as we went along. A little bit of support would have gone a long way.”

But with high rents his venture went bust after just two years.

Tom, 22, said: “Our rent payments were half of our expenses. ‘JuiceBox’ just didn’t earn enough to cover it all and we had to shut down.

Tom had an outstanding business loan which he had to pay off himself. But this hasn’t put him off opening up his own business again.

He added: “If anything it has taught me some life lessons and I would definitely start my own business again.”

If the director of the new company is over 25, then the survival rate increases, according to the Experian report.

By Sophie Jackson

Under the national plan for music education, children aged 5-18 will get the chance to learn an instrument for at least a term.

From 2012, music education will be provided by new “hubs” which will deliver music education in partnership with the existing local authority music services.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “All pupils should have the opportunity to enjoy and play music. However, for far too long, music education has been patchy across the country.”

A new music teaching module will also be set up to give trainee primary teachers extra skills to teach the subject.

The announcement comes just months after the Henley Review, commissioned by the Government, warned that music education in England is “patchy”.

Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “A high-quality music education can make a hugely beneficial contribution to the lives of young people. It is often a source of regret for adults that they didn’t learn a musical instrument when they were at school; now every child will have the opportunity to develop this life-enhancing skill.”

Alison H, posted on netmums.com: “I think it’s a great idea – music lessons are expensive so some people simply can’t afford them. Learning to read music and play an instrument helps in other subjects too, so it should help the children in different areas.”

Max Wilson, 38, a freelance piano and composition teacher from north London thinks it is a great idea. He said: “It is good for teaching children to be patient and learning an instrument helps different areas of the brain. It is good for all ages.”

Education is currently under review, and no final decisions will be made by the Department for Education until 2012.

By Sophie Jackson

But does the government recognise this?

The coalition government came under pressure on Thursday from the House of Lords to do more to boost the creative industries in the UK.

They warned that without the right educational encouragement and financial incentives, the country would struggle to compete with its foreign competitors.

However, is this going to go much further than just a quick chat in Parliament? Are there going to be more tax breaks for employers offering internships? Are there going to more scholarships available for young people?

Labour baroness McIntosh of Hudnal, and former chief executive of the Royal Opera House, said: “The message from the government appears to be that creative education and the industries that flow from it, is not important, is a luxury, is an add-on and is not central to our lives”.

Actress Tanya Franks, best known as the drug-addicted Rainie in Eastenders, thinks that more money should go into the creative industries, and especially into theatre. She said: “at times like these, when the country is struggling with a recession, people look for something that is going to make them feel better. And the things like film and theatre make them feel better, and change their outlook on life to positive.”

And judging by the government’s past, Tanya doesn’t think politicians will change their ways, and take notice that the creative industries need more financial support.

She added: “If you go into this type of career, you don’t have the same support structure around you. It’s such a hard industry to get into and you have to follow your ambitions and desires.”

Robert Young, a BAFTA winning producer and director, thinks the industry is being neglected.

He said that the government is going out to wrong people to find out what the industry needs. They talk to people that don’t have to struggle, and the real issues are just being swept under the carpet. He said: “Don’t go to a national theatre, go to a theatre up in Sheffield, or Hull – go up North and find out what the theatres are doing up there. Those are the people that need help.”

It seems that what the country needs is not creative-based degrees, but more internships and scholarships. Robert Young said: “A bit of paper doesn’t say you can act, or produce. You need to prove yourself.”

Tanya added: “A bit of paper may put you closer to the top of the pile, but there are hundreds of people with that bit of paper. Young people need to be given the chance to be able to prove themselves to an employer.”

Listen to Tanya Franks talking about creative industries.

Greed has poisoned mans soul

I wish to open my blog with a quote taken from Charlie Chaplain’s film The great Dictator, the reason for this is over the last couple of weeks I have watched a couple of movies, one being an award winning documentary: Enemies of The People, which is   about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia that slaughtered nearly two million people in the late 1970s. Yet the killing fields of Cambodia remain unexplained. From the foot soldiers who slit throats to Pol Pot’s right-hand man, the notorious Brother Number Two, Sambath records the shocking testimony never before seen or heard.  I have got to say it really made me feel cold but it was truly an eye opening piece.

 And today the latest Hollywood film titled  ’Machine Gun Preacher’, which  is t he story of  Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker, tough guy, who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who’ve been forced to become child soldiers. Both films have left me blessed to be a citizen of this great country. Under all the struggle we have to face (which feels like a descendant of greed) we have no corner to defend compared to these stories in these countries and the politics that they endure day in and day out. Living in fear is not a way of life.   

It got me thinking that we need to wake up and look at what a wonderful country is offered to us. We are all struggling, some more than others, but we are safe. We are not being butchered or raped and watching our families being slaughtered. We are lucky we live in a place which is filled of choices and opportunities, although we sometimes feel punished and set back from out own goals and ambitions. We are no further pushed back then we allow our selves to be. We have the power and the strength to cross any boundaries we may face, and we do it all with the freedom of own decision. The greatest set back in life is not the government, nor is it the people around us, but it is ourselves! 

Belief will change our world and that belief must start within ourselves. We can do anything we want and accomplish anything we wish for, we just need to never back down and never give in. Inspiration comes from within, determination and enthusiasm will always win and always remember:

“Those that want get, and those that wish just blow out the candles”

So start thinking about what you want in life, and believe you will get it.

Ben

Artwork by Banksy

Think about the picture above and what change means to you as an individual and a generation….

Greetings!

What a week it has been, we have filled in our application to the JRRT, arranging debates in both Newcastle and Westminster, began organising our NATIONWIDE competition and finished the edits for the BtB TV show.

This campaign does get more exciting week in, week out. Last week we interviewed the band ‘Missing Andy’- check those guys out, they are brilliant. Ben is just editing the interview and we will have it for you to see soon enough.

So moving forward, what lies in store for next week? Well, we are organising our promo videos, where we aim to attract some celebrity support like our friends at Rock the Vote do over in the states. This can really attract and inspire more young people to have there say, of course it is not all about the celeb’s and idols but I do believe they can play a role in attracting more people to have their say, begin to ask more questions and believe in change.

In other news we networked at the Party conferences this year, as many of you know, and when we chatted with Nick Clegg we mentioned about him and David Cameron wearing some BtB Hoodies so be sure to look out for those. For me it’s not about them wearing our logo to say come and vote Conservative or Lib Dem, it’s about the message that they want young people to play a bigger role in democracy and in return agree that the Political Parties need to do more to attract the younger people and give them something to vote for. The guys had a great time at the Labour Conference too and thanks to a key supporter of ours Rosanne Kirk, we had the chance to interview Andy Burnham, the Education Secretary and hope that Ed Milliband will soon engage with the campaign.

Politics and Power, two words that have been in the hands of the elite for centuries and it has been a struggle for the people to fight for more rights and more involvement. This is no different and if more and more young people involve them selves, we will see a shift in the way our parties attempt to win votes.

So make yourself count, rise up as a generation and become involved- it’s easy to ignore things and complain- take on this challenge and lets see what we can achieve together! We will be announcing our time table for the BtB Registration Rallies soon… stay tuned and be sure to volunteer in an area near you to help us.

Enjoy your weekend,

Mike