"What’s the point of holding a key if you don’t use it?" Isabell Watts (Youth Panel)
In the many years I have been involved with the Children's University, since I first established a Children's University in Colchester 10 years ago, working collaboratively has always been the way to get great things done.
It is a privilege to work alongside Ros Green of the Essex Book Festival. Over the years we have explored ways in which we can support our young learners to gain insights, experience and knowledge and of course that's very much a two-way street for us too.
Yesterday, Essex Children's University was proud to be a partner at The Manifesto for Essex Youth Summit. With our Young Essex Panel a day of debate, information and ideas sharing was inspirational.
The Manifesto for Essex Youth Summit was a part of the British Science Festival being held at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. It's fair to say that the University, on it's Family Day, was a popular event with children and their families.
I learned so much. Heard some seriously worrying messages, but there was such positivity and knowledge too.
The contributions of our Youth Panel, outstanding. Couldn't have been a prouder CU Manager than me.
I can only reflect on the possibilities had I been half as knowledgeable, with the ability to deliver an informed point of view so clearly whilst being so grounded at a similar age.
When I shuffle off this planet I hope I can have helped to make it a better place for the generations that follow.
I would encourage you to watch the You Tube video on this link
In the coming months I will start to explore ways we can get our younger learners aged 7-11 involved.
The Summit ended with 3 pledges of action, to inform the next steps of the Manifesto for Essex.
Take a look at some of the delegate profiles. You'll be astounded at the amount of commitment to the Climate Emergency there is in Essex, and the knowledge and passion of the young people who were there.