Our World, Our Future- Sept 22, 2009

 Our World, Our Future

Young people debate climate change with politicians

Monday September 28 - Friday October 16

www.headsup.org.uk

22.09.2009

 HeadsUp is the Hansard Society's innovative web forum, where under-18s debate political issues with legislators and policy-makers. The first forum for the 2009/10 series is Climate Change - how should the world summit tackle the problem? ahead of the UN summit in Copenhagen. The views of young people debating on HeadsUp will feed into the government's strategy at the summit. The three week debate is happening online from Monday September 28 until Friday October 16 and all of the comments by the legislators and young people on the forum can be viewed throughout the forum without registration.

The forum gives young people the rare opportunity to debate with each other and engage directly with parliamentarians, policy makers and campaigners. Teachers and Youth Workers can register classes or groups and young people can register individually. Topics for discussion include:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions - How can global agreement aim to reduce pollution from cars, factories and homes being released into the atmosphere?
• Minimising the effects of climate change on poorer countries - Should the richer countries be investing more in green technologies in developing countries?
• The science of climate change - Do you think the scientists' predictions are right about the threat of climate change?
• What will you do? - Encourage your parents to make energy saving measures in your home? Join in a campaign about climate change? Eat less meat?

 Joan Ruddock MP, Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, will be taking part in the forum and ensuring that the young people's views are fed into the government's strategy for the Copenhagen summit. Ms Ruddock MP said about the forum:

"This is an excellent initiative and it gives me great pleasure to be involved with the Hansard Society.  They provide a hugely valuable service in engaging young people with the political system in the UK, and this debate on climate change promises to be both exciting and important...I have always been a strong supporter of young people's involvement in political processes, and your enthusiasm, energy and ideas are a vibrant and welcome influence in international decision-making, particularly decisions as critical as climate change.

This debate is a real opportunity for young people to get your voices heard at the highest political level - and I will ensure that your opinions are communicated to my ministerial colleagues in the Department of Energy and Climate Change and across Government."

For more information contact Kate Egglestone at the Hansard Society on 0207 438 1210 or k.egglestone@hansard.lse.ac.uk

 Editors' Notes

• HeadsUp (http://www.headsup.org.uk/) is an innovative website where under-18s debate political issues and learn about the political process. The site is a non-partisan, cross-party educational resource that provides a secure, structured and student-centred discussion platform.
• This forum is in partnership with the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
• Two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:

1. Young People - If you are under 18 and want to get in on the action you need to complete the Student Sign Up Form.
2. Teachers/youth workers - can register a whole class/school year/group by completing our Teachers Registration Form.

• All HeadsUp forums are open to be viewed and the debate followed by the public. Participants need to register or login to post comments (under 18s and supporting teachers/youth workers only).
• The project is part-funded by the House of Commons.
• HeadsUp currently has 9,000 registered users.