How do you teach about the European Union? - May 9, 2011

  Get a free copy of EU Explained from the Hansard Society

 EU Explained is the Hansard Society's new teaching resource on the European Union and it is now available to teachers for free.

 Developed with the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, EU Explained helps teachers to give their students a greater awareness about how the EU operates, the impact it has on the UK and how they can seek to influence the decisions made there.

 In addition to quizzes, timelines and a history of the EU, role play activities give students the opportunity to see how the EU works and decide what they do and do not like!

 To order copies of the pack contact citizenship@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Scottish & Welsh Elections: ‘Mixed results for women - democratic deficit remains clear' says Hansard Society - May 6, 2011

A commitment to equality was firmly established as a key principle when the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales were founded over a decade ago. In the intervening years both became international beacons of progress in establishing higher levels of representation for women in politics.  

But today's election results confirm what the Hansard Society warned of a year ago in its report, ‘Has Devolution Delivered For Women'.  

• The number of women in the next Assembly has declined to 25 AMs (41.7%) - the lowest number of female AMs since the first Assembly elections in 1999;
  
• The number of women in the next Scottish Parliament has only marginally improved to 46 MSPs (35.6%)

Who is responsible for our health? - May 6 2011

Young people to debate health issues with leading politicians and doctors

HeadsUp forum runs from 9-27 May 2011
- make sure the young people you know have their say

Should we take more responsibility for illnesses that we have brought on ourselves and pay extra for treatment? Should the government be doing more to encourage us to change bad habits through taxation or banning advertising? How easy is it to prevent people from drinking, eating or smoking to excess?

These are some of the questions that 11-18 year olds will be debating with important decision-makers in the next HeadsUp forum - "Our health...who is responsible?"

Key areas for debate include:

• Who is responsible for our health? – Should the government save us from ourselves when it comes to unhealthy lifestyles? Should there be more regulation around alcohol, smoking and junk food? Do you listen to advice about healthy lifestyles or do you ignore it?
• Do you know enough about mental health? – Do you think there is enough help and information for teenagers suffering from things like self-harm or eating disorders? How can the NHS improve its teenage mental health services? Do you need more information about how to deal with the stresses and anxieties of being a teenager?
• Which treatments should be provided on the NHS? – Should people who have led unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, have to pay more towards treatment? Should non-essential treatment like IVF or gastric bands be paid for on the NHS in a time of cuts? Should we spend more money on trying to prevent ill health by educating people about lifestyle choices?
• Alcohol, drugs and smoking – Do you listen to advice from your teachers or parents about the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs? Should there be a minimum price for a unit of alcohol to stop binge drinking? What do you think of the government's plans to stop cigarette brands being displayed in shops?

Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, is taking part in the forum and she had this message for the young people getting involved:

‘Since becoming the Minister responsible for Public Health, I have stressed the importance of young people's health to achieving the Government's aim of a healthier future for this country. We can do this by encouraging healthy choices and lifestyles and providing a particular focus on the most vulnerable… This is a great chance for me to hear the views of young people on the future of health services generated by this fantastic on-line forum.’

Other decision-makers getting involved include:
Lord Patel, a Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Professor Mitch Blair, Officer for Health Promotion at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Dr John Coleman, Chair of the Young People's Health Association.

Other decision-makers will be added soon.

There are student background materials available, to ensure the debate is well-informed, [click here] and notes for teachers to help them prepare their students in advance of the forum[click here].

Anyone can view the debate as it happens [visit this link from Monday May 9] although only under 18s and supporting teachers/youth workers can comment. A report of the forum and the key themes of the discussions will be sent to relevant decision-makers, once the debate is finished, to improve their understanding of young people’s views on health issues.

For further information contact Beccy Allen, HeadsUp Project Manager, 020 7438 1214

Editors' Notes

• HeadsUp (http://www.headsup.org.uk/ ) is an innovative website where 11-18 year olds 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.
• Two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:

Young People - If you are under 18 and want to get in on the action you need to complete the Student Sign Up Form.

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.
• There are currently 1,155 schools registered with HeadsUp.