LONDON PRESENTATION

The following text is an adaptation of the transcription of the audio CDs of the Conference 2005.

From London there have been present: Ms. Sarah Davies, Director of the Tower Hamlets Summer University, Ms. Becky Hatch, Project manager of “Diversity and Dialogue” from Save the Children UK, Ms. Jo Whitehouse from Clean Break, Department Girls and Young Women Development Worker, Ms. Naja Omoregie and Mr. Wale Raji, both Peer Outreach Worker from the Greater London Authority’s Young Londoner’s Network.

Ms. Davies presented her organisation, which deals with young people from social problem districts. Her organisation is being supported financially to 17% with public funds. The rest of the financing comes from sponsorships. Reducing the influence of the right-wing extremist National Party, which planed to enhance its presence locally, was one of the successes of the political work of Tower Hamlets Summer University. By means of youth exchange between London and Cape Town they make young people more sensitive for human rights, among others.

The NGO Ms. Whitehouse represents deals with young female offenders. It has also a hotline for young Muslims, who are in the middle of official investigations after the terrorist attacks in London in the summer of 2005.

Ms. Omoregie and Mr. Raji presented a new program of the city of London. The project deals with opening a youth council for London that informs young people about their rights, especially if these young people face police investigations/ checks.

Trainer: Steffi Bednarek is German; she lives in London and works as a project co-ordinator with young women affected by domestic violence, group work, networking, peer-education and one to one work. She is also freelance trainer.

Fields of possible cooperation: Participation ideas