Surrey Local News

03/11/09 Take it to the Top - Young people to pitch ideas to Cabinet

Young people are being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell the country’s most powerful politicians their ideas about what could make a real difference to their communities.

Bebo’s Big Think - Take Your Ideas to the Top is looking for young people to put forward innovative and practical suggestions on how to make a positive difference on crime, careers and climate change. The nationwide online competition is being hosted on social-networking website Bebo.

The people behind the top six ideas will be invited to London to pitch their ideas to a celebrity panel, including record-breaking mountaineer Jake Meyer and Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Olympics, Tessa Jowell. The panel will then pick three winners who will be invited to present their suggestions to Cabinet Members the next day.

A host of inspiring mentors has been lined up to give the finalists all the tips they might need to perfect their presentations before they go before the panel and Cabinet Ministers.

So far Henry Bonsu, co-founder of Colourful Radio, columnist Lindsay Johns, who volunteers as a mentor in Peckham and Colleen Harris, the former group director of communications for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission have all signed up, with more to follow.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Olympics Tessa Jowell said: "This competition is the opportunity of a lifetime for young people to get really engaged with the democratic process and make a difference on the issues that really matter to them. I am looking forward to seeing some of the exciting and innovative ideas they come up with.”

Jake Meyer, the youngest person to have ever climbed the highest mountain on every continent – the Seven Summits - said: “As well as being passionate about the outdoors, adventure and the environment, it’s also trying to motivate and inspire other young people that really drives me. This is a great initiative that gives young people the chance to make a real difference. I can’t wait to hear some of the ideas!”

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