The letter below is in the Herald's letters page. I agree with it's sentiments completely. Our young people are our future and by a huge degree the vast majority are a credit to themselves, their families and communities. We will be looking to encourage any youth projects we work with to apply for these awards. It would be great for the city to have our young people recognised in this way.
I recommend anyone else involved with our young people to get involved.
07:30 - 03 March 2008
Too often we hear all the negative stories about young people. Words such as 'asbo' and 'hoodie' have slipped into common usage, and are being increasingly used to describe teenagers.
If we are to believe everything we read, young people are a problem that needs to be solved, a group that is dangerously disengaged from society.
I am writing to you about a refreshing awards scheme that challenges this view, focusing on the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of young people across the world.
I would like to encourage all your young readers to enter this year's awards. We're looking for inspiring young people from around the world who've made a real difference to their own lives and those of others by getting their voices heard about the issues that matter to them.
Award-winners will be invited to attend a Seen & Heard awards ceremony to meet other young people and hear about their projects. They'll also get the chance to tell their story through the 2008 Seen & Heard report, a publication which will be seen by young people, MPs and other decision-makers around the world.
Find out more about the awards and read stories from last year's winners by visiting the BT Better World Campaign website at www.btbetterworld.com or by emailing us at seenandheard@bt.com
The closing date for entries is May 9 2008, so get those nominations in today.
ANDY HAMFLETT
Chief Executive, UK Youth Parliament
