Young people evaluate the public transport system - 25 Apr, 2006

Follow the online debate at
www.headsup.org.uk

What do young people think about public transport? Under-18s will get the opportunity to make their voices heard in a secure and structured online debate, organised by the Hansard Society. Green for Go? Is public transport up to 21st Century challenges? will run from April 24 to May 12, 2006 at www.HeadsUp.org.uk

Privatisation and deregulation have dominated transport for the last 20 years. Some commentators have suggested this has led to declining bus and rail services and over reliance on the car. Noise and pollution are damaging people's health around the country and there are calls for a radical, yet sustainable transport policy to fight congestion and pollution. HeadsUp will hold a timely debate to establish young people's perceptions of public transport. This forum has attracted the online involvement of a range of decision-makers, including:

  • Dr Stephen Ladyman MP - Minister of State for Transport
  • Gwyneth Dunwoody MP - Chairman of the Transport Select Committee
  • Chris Grayling MP - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
  • Andy Slaughter MP - PPS to Stephen Ladyman as Minister of State for Transport
  • John Leech MP- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport
  • Sir George Young MP - Former Secretary of State for Transport and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group
  • Stephen Joseph - Executive Director of Transport 2000
  • David Kidney MP - Member of the All-Party Parliamentary Environment Group
  • Lee Scott MP - Member of the Transport Select Committee

The Green for Go? Is public transport up to 21st Century challenges? forum puts key questions to the participating young people:

  • How good is the local transport near you? Is it reliable and cheap to use?
  • Do you worry about the impact of public transport upon the environment?
  • What is the financial impact and implications for young people of using public transport?
  • Do you feel safe and welcome on local public transport that you use?

Barry Griffiths, HeadsUp Project Manager, commented: "This public transport debate is one of the most hotly-anticipated ever run on HeadsUp. It should be an interesting contrast between the participating young people who want to staunchly protect the environment and some of the decision-makers who favour more innovative, alternative methods of public transport."

HeadsUp is a vital resource for teaching the political literacy element of the Citizenship Curriculum. In addition to the forum where school students explore and debate the political issues and ideas that matter to them, there are teachers' notes, ideas for classroom activities and background information all available on the HeadsUp website.

Young people taking part in this HeadsUp Forum are available for interview
For more information contact Virginia Gibbons, Communications Manager at the Hansard Society on 0207 438 1225, 07812 765 552 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Notes

  • HeadsUp (www.headsup.org.uk) is an innovative website where under-18s debate political issues and processes. The site is fast becoming established as a non-partisan, cross-party educational resource that provides a secure, structured and student-centred discussion platform.
  • Now two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:
    1. Young People - If you are under 18 and want to get involved you need to email us at info@headsup.org.uk. We will then email you back with your unique username and password. Once you're registered you can take part wherever and whenever you want.
    2. Teachers - can register a whole class/school year/group by completing our online registration form: http://www.headsup.org.uk/content/register.asp?page=s7_4
  • All HeadsUp forums are now open to all to view and follow the debate. This will benefit many young people, teachers and parliamentarians as they will now be able to ‘try before they buy' and observe the dynamic of the debates without being registered. Participants will still need to register or login to post comments.
  • The project is jointly funded by the DfES (Department for Education and Skills) and the House of Commons.
  • At the end of the debate, a summary report detailing young people's contributions will be distributed to officials at the Department for Transport, government ministers, MPs and relevant all-party groups in Parliament.
  • If anyone experiences any problems with the HeadsUp registration process please contact Barry Griffiths on 020 7438 1214.
  • HeadsUp is an integration of the Hansard Society's work in Citizenship and eDemocracy.
  • 3250 individuals are currently registered with HeadsUp.
  • HeadsUp was conceived and developed by the Hansard Society with technical and design support from Glasgow-based digital design agency, Dog Digital (www.dogdigital.co.uk).
  • The Hansard Society is an independent, non-partisan educational charity, which exists to promote effective parliamentary democracy.

 

 

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