OK so after having a nightmare
with the blog, being unable to post and then writing it twice (saved instead of
published and then couldn't find it again when I realised) here is my blog
about the Youth Democracy Project.
The Youth Democracy project was made up of 2 parts the first being 3 day long sessions where we learnt about British democracy and the European Union. In the first session we discussed the how government and power works, we tested our knowledge of democracy and how local and national government works. We then went on to discuss issues that face young people across England, many issues were raised but due to the relevance to the discussions being made in parliament at the time we decided to focus on the threat to housing benefit for under 25s. Although this was not the only focus for the project is gave us a focus for the rest of the sessions and enabled us to use it as a topic when learning about other aspects of the democracy process. This made me aware of how although all of the participants are from the YMCA we are all working on such diverse issues and coming from many different backgrounds. This was definitely a strong point to the project as I now feel I have a much greater view on the impact the YMCA has all over England.
The second session was around the European Institutions, in which we learnt what it means to be part of Europe and how the different parts of the European bodies work individually and also how they fit into and work alongside each other. This part of the project was very helpful as it made me more aware of what being a part of Europe actually means and how the different parts are separate from each other. It dispelled a lot of rumours and for me and made me realise I was quite misinformed about how everything works. In the second session we also went on to learn about constructing an argument, looking at how to best structure it to make your points the most effective they can be. The final part of the session gave us a chance to practice our argument structuring and debating skills in a debating arena. This was good as I learnt not to go out full force and give all my points away at the beginning as it then leaves you with no ammunition later on in the debate.
Now for the fun parts ;)
The second part of the project was 2 international exchanges between France and England. The first of them taking place in London and lasting 4 days. In this time we not only delivered a pocket sized summery of the different part of the UK and how our political system works, we also got the chance to show the French how it works by taking them on a tour of the Houses of Parliament and also to Ealing Town Hall where we were able to speak with Councillor Jason Stacey who when not playing the role of Local Councillor, doubles up as Head of Policy at YMCA England. These visits not only enabled the French to get a deeper understanding of how our political system works, but also to see how local issues in England are similar to those in France. We also went to the Natural History Museum (clearly something every tourist to London needs to see.) This part of the project greatly increased my knowledge of the English Political System and visiting the Houses of Parliament was fantastic as I have never done this before.
Onto the second exchange…Paris.
Whilst in Paris we had a host of opportunities, we visited the Eiffel Tower, Paris City Hall, The Arc de’ Triomphe and of course The French Assembly. This gave us the opportunity to learn loads about the history of France and about how deeply connected the French Political System is to it’s history. It was interesting to see how it had developed through history and learn about the effect the French Revolutions had on the way politics now takes place in France.
Whilst in Paris we visited a YMCA, not just any YMCA, the YMCA where the Paris Basis was signed in 1855 at the first ever World Council. This was an amazing moment for me, and made me realise just what I am a part of. A movement with such a rich history that spreads right across the globe. It left me feeling proud to be part of something so big and something that has been around for so long! I can’t really put into words how inspirational just being in that place was, it has inspired me to keep doing what I am doing and to be proud about being a part of such an amazing thing that has been and is continuing to make its mark on the world.
Over and Out.
Alex Taylor
(Barnsley YMCA)
The Youth Democracy project was made up of 2 parts the first being 3 day long sessions where we learnt about British democracy and the European Union. In the first session we discussed the how government and power works, we tested our knowledge of democracy and how local and national government works. We then went on to discuss issues that face young people across England, many issues were raised but due to the relevance to the discussions being made in parliament at the time we decided to focus on the threat to housing benefit for under 25s. Although this was not the only focus for the project is gave us a focus for the rest of the sessions and enabled us to use it as a topic when learning about other aspects of the democracy process. This made me aware of how although all of the participants are from the YMCA we are all working on such diverse issues and coming from many different backgrounds. This was definitely a strong point to the project as I now feel I have a much greater view on the impact the YMCA has all over England.
The second session was around the European Institutions, in which we learnt what it means to be part of Europe and how the different parts of the European bodies work individually and also how they fit into and work alongside each other. This part of the project was very helpful as it made me more aware of what being a part of Europe actually means and how the different parts are separate from each other. It dispelled a lot of rumours and for me and made me realise I was quite misinformed about how everything works. In the second session we also went on to learn about constructing an argument, looking at how to best structure it to make your points the most effective they can be. The final part of the session gave us a chance to practice our argument structuring and debating skills in a debating arena. This was good as I learnt not to go out full force and give all my points away at the beginning as it then leaves you with no ammunition later on in the debate.
Now for the fun parts ;)
The second part of the project was 2 international exchanges between France and England. The first of them taking place in London and lasting 4 days. In this time we not only delivered a pocket sized summery of the different part of the UK and how our political system works, we also got the chance to show the French how it works by taking them on a tour of the Houses of Parliament and also to Ealing Town Hall where we were able to speak with Councillor Jason Stacey who when not playing the role of Local Councillor, doubles up as Head of Policy at YMCA England. These visits not only enabled the French to get a deeper understanding of how our political system works, but also to see how local issues in England are similar to those in France. We also went to the Natural History Museum (clearly something every tourist to London needs to see.) This part of the project greatly increased my knowledge of the English Political System and visiting the Houses of Parliament was fantastic as I have never done this before.
Onto the second exchange…Paris.
Whilst in Paris we had a host of opportunities, we visited the Eiffel Tower, Paris City Hall, The Arc de’ Triomphe and of course The French Assembly. This gave us the opportunity to learn loads about the history of France and about how deeply connected the French Political System is to it’s history. It was interesting to see how it had developed through history and learn about the effect the French Revolutions had on the way politics now takes place in France.
Whilst in Paris we visited a YMCA, not just any YMCA, the YMCA where the Paris Basis was signed in 1855 at the first ever World Council. This was an amazing moment for me, and made me realise just what I am a part of. A movement with such a rich history that spreads right across the globe. It left me feeling proud to be part of something so big and something that has been around for so long! I can’t really put into words how inspirational just being in that place was, it has inspired me to keep doing what I am doing and to be proud about being a part of such an amazing thing that has been and is continuing to make its mark on the world.
Over and Out.
Alex Taylor
(Barnsley YMCA)
Don't understand what's happening with the font :S
ReplyDeleteAlex, thank you! Great blog post and one no less significant because of the connection with Paris in 1855. Well worth waiting for. Really looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings you in your work in the YMCA generally and Barnsley England, in particular.
ReplyDeleteCracker of a blog!
ReplyDelete