A new toolkit has been launched to promote civic education and engagement among young people in Greater Manchester, with the support of Mayor Andy Burnham. The resource, developed by the Civic Leadership Youth Steering Group of Youth Leads UK, was celebrated at an event held at the Manchester office of RSM UK, a leading audit, tax, and consulting firm.
The Youth Steering Group, comprised of over 20 young individuals from diverse backgrounds across Greater Manchester, conducted extensive research and engaged with various stakeholders, including decision makers, educators, and youth groups, to develop the toolkit. Their research revealed a lack of awareness among young people about important civic roles and how they can get involved.
The event brought together leaders from the public, private, and charity sectors to celebrate the launch of the toolkit and provide opportunities for young people to network with decision makers and explore new avenues for civic involvement.
In a statement, Mayor Burnham said, “I encourage educators, community leaders, and youth organizations to use this resource to its full potential. We can help ensure that young people’s voices are heard and that they get the chance to play leading roles in decision-making processes. I want to thank Youth Leads UK for partnering with us to bring this initiative to life. As long as I am Mayor of Greater Manchester, we will continue to confront and tackle discrimination, injustice, and structural inequality in our city-region.”
Saeed Atcha MBE DL, CEO of Youth Leads UK, also expressed his excitement for the new tool, stating, “This new tool is a game-changer for youth engagement. It equips young people with the knowledge and confidence to take charge and shape the future of Greater Manchester. We’re not just talking about involvement; we’re talking about leadership and transformation. The future is now.”
Kevin Duffy, Regional Managing Partner at RSM UK in the North West, added, “I’m passionate about social mobility and at RSM we are proud to support such an important initiative which benefits young people and the Greater Manchester region. The work carried out by Youth Leads UK and the Civic Leadership Youth Steering Group will have a positive impact on our community, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with Youth Leads and seeing how the programme evolves.”
The new civic engagement tool and Youth Leads UK’s ongoing initiatives can be found on their website at https://youthleads.uk/civicresources.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.