Young People Tackling Climate Change CGE York

Brief project description

The project is funded by DCSF for 2 years from April 2009 with the aim of encouraging young people’s participation in democracy around youth choices and opportunities and of creating greater sustainability for future generations in York.

The Centre for Global Education York (CGE) was established in 1982. It is an independent, non-profit, curriculum development centre. We work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to introduce and embed global issues into teaching and learning. We encourage a range of teaching styles to meet individual learning needs and to promote active participation around the aim of “education for a just future”.

As part of the project, York Young Person’s Action group (YYPAG), a group of 12-18 year olds, will be set up to focus on key areas locally such as Green Space, Transport and Climate Change within a framework of young people’s rights.

The group will actively seek a wide membership, with places reserved for young people from disadvantaged groups in particular BME groups including travellers.

All the young people involved will be offered opportunities to:

• Develop a knowledge of their rights and an understanding of whom in the local community can help them to access their rights
• Achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes to enjoy and achieve while making a positive contribution
• Develop skills and capabilities, raising personal self-esteem to empower all the young people to participate in and lead activities
• Engage with the local and global effects of Climate change and effects on Young People’s rights

YYPAG members will initiate and lead:

• Youth discussions and peer education on Climate change and Young People’s rights leading to
• A dialogue between generations with a wide cross section of young people presenting the rights of future generations to the existing generation of decision makers, using multi-media presentations and lobbying to:
  • City of York Council (CYC) at committee meetings
  • Significant local businesses and employers e.g. transport providers
  • Informal local community forums
  • School managers, including head teachers and governors.