Youth debate finds massive support for 2012 legacy
1 JUNE 2011
Young people from across the capital gave the 2012 Games a ringing endorsement at the end of a lively debate at City Hall today.
Hosted by Assembly Chair Jennette Arnold AM, today’s debate was a chance for more than 200 young people from a broad range of social backgrounds to have their say on how the 2012 games will touch their communities.
Assembly Members James Cleverly AM, John Biggs AM, Caroline Pidgeon AM and Jenny Jones AM were on hand to answer questions and give their take on the issues. At the end of the session, around 80% of the young people said that they thought the Games would have a positive affect on the capital.
The young people, all aged 12-19 years, came from a variety of schools, youth clubs and community organisations from across London, including disability groups, youth offending teams, the TFL youth panel, London Gypsy and Traveller unit and Refugee Youth.
They also included around 20 members of the Legacy Youth Panel, which was set up by the Olympic Park Legacy Company to help shape plans to develop and animate the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park over the next 25 years.
The debate was organised by the Greater London Authority’s Peer Outreach Team[1] to give young people an insight into how London’s government works and have their voices heard.
Chair of the London Assembly, Jennette Arnold AM, said:
“It’s fantastic to see so many young people taking an interest in politics and wanting to get involved. Their interest and enthusiasm really shone through with some impressively incisive and informed questions from the audience.
“The 2012 Games is going to have a huge impact on our city and it was really heartening to see people from such a broad cross-section of the community wanting to be part of the Games spirit.”
Kishan Patel, 16, from Newham, said:
“A successful legacy is a long term aim, but we must act now in order to achieve it. That's why it was important to be able to share our views as the Legacy Youth Panel with Assembly Members and other young people.
“The opportunities that come from the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will have a massive impact on our communities. The 2012 games will be the largest sporting event ever in London, but the legacy will tell the story of its success for generations to come.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- The aim of the Parliamentary Outreach project is to inform and educate young Londoners about the role and function of Parliament and how the British political system operates.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alastair Cowan on 020 7983 4504. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.
