Audit of Political Engagement 9, Part One

Disgruntled, disillusioned and disengaged. New Hansard Society research shows people are turning away from national politics

The 2012 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement, published on April 25, shows that the public’s growing sense of indifference to politics as highlighted in last year’s Audit has hardened into something more serious as public attitudes become more negative.

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Next HeadsUp debate on You and Society starts next week - April 23

You and Society: What Makes Society Work Well?

11-18 year-olds to have their say on the Big Society,
 Britishness and Societal Breakdown

30 April - 18 May 2012

HeadsUp.org.uk

What do young people think about the society they live in? Do they feel included? How can they help to improve their local communities? From 30 April, under-18s will be debating all aspects of British society with decision-makers online.

Hansard Society does not charge for internships

Hansard Society does not receive donations from House of Lords, House of Commons, the Speaker, BBC Parliament or any government department
 
Statement from Fiona Booth, Chief Executive of the Hansard Society - April 14, 2012
 
‘Incorrect information on social media sites today alleges that the Hansard Society charges £8,000 for work experience internships. This is incorrect. For 20 years we have run an academic study programme aimed at understanding of the British political system. Hundreds of undergraduates and post-graduate students from around the world have participated in our Hansard Scholars Programme, which involves a study course in association with a leading university and internships with relevant NGOs, Parliament and other organisations. Interns do not work at the Hansard Society.
 
The cost for this 11-week academic programme includes all academic tuition and student fees, accommodation in central London and unlimited travel by tube and bus in central London, plus visits to the devolved legislatures and many other activities. The Hansard Society is accredited by the British Accreditation Council and is a member of StudyUK. Further information about this programme is available on our website (www.hansardsociety.org.uk)
 
The Hansard Society does not receive donations from the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the Speaker, BBC Parliament or any government department. We have funded project work – full details of which can be found in our audited accounts available on our website.’
 
For further information, contact comms@hansardsociety.org.uk or 07812 765 552

Give children a voice in adoption, say young people - April 3, 2012

Young People (11-18 year olds) taking part in the first HeadsUp forum of 2012, What makes a good family?  firmly believed that when it comes to adoption, the wishes of the child should be taken into account where possible.

The What makes a good family? debate ran from 5 -23 March and attracted the fourth highest number of students since the site began in 2004, with the highest number of this school year.  The forum covered a wide range of issues from who should be allowed to adopt and gay marriage to the level of help families should expect to get from the government and changes to the Child Support Agency.  You can read the full report of the forum here.

What makes a good family? - February 23, 2012

11-18 year-olds and politicians to discuss family values, child poverty and adoption

Monday 5 March - Friday 23 March

 HeadsUp.org.uk

 Under-18s will be making their views known direct to politicians on HeadsUp in a three-week online debate about families in March.

Parliamentary Public Engagement - how's Westminster doing?

UK Parliament compares well with legislatures around the world but can still learn from good practice elsewhere 

A new report from the Hansard Society, Parliaments and Public Engagement: Innovation and Good Practice from Around the World, published today, reveals that the Westminster Parliament is one of the more innovative parliamentary institutions when it comes to engaging the public with its work but that there is still much it can learn from good practice in other countries. 

Celebrities deserve privacy, say young people - December 15

www.headsup.org.uk

Young people taking part in the HeadsUp forum - The Media...is it doing its job? felt that excessive media intrusion into the private lives of celebrities was unacceptable, particularly when it involved their children and families.

The debate - The Media...is it doing its job? - ran from November 21 to December 9, 2011.  This was particularly opportune timing as the Leveson Inquiry was taking evidence throughout this period from celebrities familiar to young people such as JK Rowling and Charlotte Church. Many11-18 year-olds taking part in the HeadsUp forum expressed their support for celebrities who want to protect their privacy:

‘Celebrities should be able to keep their private photos a secret. They can't enjoy a day at the beach without the press watching their every move'

The Media: is it doing its job? - November 15

11-18 year-olds to have their say on press freedom,

the recent hacking scandal and the effects of digital media

21 November - 9 December 2011

HeadsUp.org.uk

HeadsUp is an online forum for young people to explore political issues and learn about politics through debate with their peers and politicians. HeadsUp provides a direct line to politicians, allowing students to get their views across to real decision-makers and is a safe, moderated space that can be used by teachers as a resource for the teaching of Citizenship or PSHE.

Peers should use social media to connect with public, says Lord Sugar - October 31

Lords of the Blog
 
Writing on Lords of the Blog today, Lord Sugar calls on his fellow peers to break down barriers with the public by using social media as a part of everyday political life:

‘Social media means that people can have direct access to me as a Lord and as a businessman. Individuals, campaigning groups and external organisations should be able to contact us and, on some occasions, put us on the spot in public forums for the decisions we take on their behalf......The way I use social media means there are no barriers between me and the public.

‘We should be looking at the best way to break down barriers between the House of Lords and what happens in people's everyday lives; we need to get the message across that what happens in our House actually affects what happens in their house.'

Westminster World Heritage Site and Parliament Square a national disgrace

New vision which puts citizen and visitor at its heart is needed says new report from the Hansard Society

A new report from the Hansard Society - A Place for People – Proposals for Enhancing Visitor Engagement with Parliament’s Environs - exploring how better use can be made of the Westminster World Heritage Site and Parliament Square concludes that rather than a place of national pride this landmark area is a national disgrace.