Extracts from Lords debate on Young People - Dec 13
Friday, 14 December 2018 08:20
Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (Lab):...But there are positives.
Young people are just as likely as adults to volunteer. Noble Lords
who know me well will not wonder that I talk about this. I have had
the privilege of being involved with Voluntary Service Overseas in
different ways over the last 50 years, twice as a volunteer. My
first volunteering experience was in Kenya for two years. VSO has
been the lead charity running InterNational Citizen Service, a
programme for 18 to 25 year-olds...Request free trial
(Lab):...But there are positives. Young people are just as
likely as adults to volunteer. Noble Lords who know me well will
not wonder that I talk about this. I have had the privilege of
being involved with Voluntary Service Overseas in different ways
over the last 50 years, twice as a volunteer. My first volunteering
experience was in Kenya for two years. VSO has been the lead
charity running InterNational Citizen Service, a programme for 18 to
25 year-olds initiated by the coalition Government in 2011. A
diverse range of young people go to a developing country in small
groups and work for three months with a group of young people from
the host country, who are also volunteering, on a project. They are
all expected to contribute some volunteering in their own community
when they return. I have met lots of ICS volunteers, here and when
I have visited the developing world, and it is the most
inspirational activity. Many of them will be the leaders of
tomorrow, here and abroad. All of them are clear about their
learning, what matters and what contribution young people can make.
I just hope the Government can sort out the reprocurement quickly
and make sure the programme can continue. The uncertainty has been
going on for quite a long time...
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Department for Education (Lord Agnew of Oulton)
(Con):...The noble Lord, , and my noble friend Lord Norton
stressed the importance of citizenship. I agree entirely. Findings
have shown that participation in extra-curricular activities
promotes positive well-being among young people. For example,
schools with cadet forces see improvements in attendance, behaviour
and attainment. We are on track to achieve our target of 500 cadet
units in schools by April 2020, developing qualities such as
respect, self-confidence, teamwork and resilience in young people.
Since the National Citizen Service was launched
in 2011, nearly 500,000 young people have taken part in this
life-changing opportunity. We continue to support the NCS and are
investing £80 million through the Youth Investment Fund to increase
opportunities for young people to develop skills and participate in
their communities. My noble friend Lord Norton asked whether I
agreed with his prognosis on the teaching of citizenship. I do not
agree entirely. Of course an A-level in citizenship or history is
helpful, but other qualifications could equally suffice...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
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