Youth in contemporary urban Europe: Understanding the Issues, Implementing the Solutions Dr Aminul Hoque MBE

A Radical Idea Young people can achieve and contribute positively to society

A question for the audience How are young people perceived and portrayed by the media and certain politicians ? What are the common stereotypes and images associated with urban youth ?

An alternative theory of Youth YOUNG PEOPLE: Are human beings with feelings, needs and emotions; Are human beings with feelings, needs and emotions; Are responsible citizens; Are responsible citizens; Are assets and NOT problems; Are assets and NOT problems; Are caring; Are caring; Are special, unique and full of ideas; Are special, unique and full of ideas; Are creative and intelligent; Are creative and intelligent; Are street-smart; Are street-smart; Are future leaders of our society; Are future leaders of our society; Deserve a second chance Deserve a second chance

Issues affecting contemporary urban youth Locate the person next to you and have a discussion about what you feel are the top 3 most important issues affecting the youth of today ?

Chris Prigg Aged 24 Aged 24 Did not enjoy schooling Did not enjoy schooling Currently works as a telecommunications engineer Currently works as a telecommunications engineer Also volunteers as a community football coach Also volunteers as a community football coach Is also a peer mentor to other local young people Is also a peer mentor to other local young people

Overlapping Issues affecting young people The increasing important and intrusive role of technology – the development of the facebook and Ipod generation; The increasing important and intrusive role of technology – the development of the facebook and Ipod generation; The lack of investment in young people friendly facilities especially in deprived neighbourhoods; The lack of investment in young people friendly facilities especially in deprived neighbourhoods; A disconnect between 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation family members; A disconnect between 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation family members; The modern world is more global where affiliations and identity are fluid and dynamic and not rooted to a particular region or country; The modern world is more global where affiliations and identity are fluid and dynamic and not rooted to a particular region or country; Ongoing wider societal issues affecting young people – poverty, poor schooling, crime, police harassment, unemployment etc Ongoing wider societal issues affecting young people – poverty, poor schooling, crime, police harassment, unemployment etc Lack of accessible and positive role models Lack of accessible and positive role models

My two key guiders RESPECTTRUST

Key fundamental principles Talk to young people and LISTEN to their needs; Talk to young people and LISTEN to their needs; Understand local geo-social landscape and how they impact young people; Understand local geo-social landscape and how they impact young people; Don t view young people as TARGET GROUPS; Don t view young people as TARGET GROUPS; Develop a flexible approach to work; Develop a flexible approach to work; Utilise new and innovative methods of communication when working with young people; Utilise new and innovative methods of communication when working with young people; Engage in multi-agency partnership work - putting the needs of young people at core of service delivery; Engage in multi-agency partnership work - putting the needs of young people at core of service delivery; Remember that every young person is unique and has different needs and requirements; Remember that every young person is unique and has different needs and requirements; Involve young people in the decision-making process. Make them partners / co-creators in project delivery Involve young people in the decision-making process. Make them partners / co-creators in project delivery

A message for youth Be the best that you can be; Be the best that you can be; Think about how you can make a positive difference to society?; Think about how you can make a positive difference to society?; Enjoy and have fun – whatever you do; Enjoy and have fun – whatever you do; Remember, that you are the future; Remember, that you are the future; Become more informed; Become more informed; Did I try my best? ; Did I try my best? ; Work hard, work harder; Work hard, work harder; Yes we can Yes we can

A final message for government Nazir Ali Nazir Ali Aged 24 Aged 24 Youth ambassador in East London Youth ambassador in East London Works for the London Metro Service Works for the London Metro Service

A simple message Engage them Engage them Value them Value them Listen to them Listen to them Empower them Empower them Respect them Respect them

Contact Details Dr Aminul Hoque MBE 0044(0) THANK YOU