Watford’s young people take issue to Brussels
18/03/2010
Watford Youth Advocates are a group of young people who represent the views of their peers in Watford and try and get their message across to bring about change.
Last year the group produced a film called 'End of the Line', exploring transport matters that affect young people in Hertfordshire. The film, shown in three different chapters, looks at the transport issues that young people rated the most important. One concern is fares being too high for young people in Hertfordshire, another is availability of buses at night and a third is safety.
The Advocates had already spoken to various committees and councillors in Hertfordshire about their campaign to improve transport, and had met with the Highways Commission and the Mayor of Watford.
They decided to take their film to the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss the issues it raised. They applied to the Youth Opportunity Fund, known as the Big Spend, to secure finding for the trip, which would also allow them to learn about the European Parliament and how Hertfordshire is represented.
The Watford Advocates are pictured below in Brussels.
From left to right: Neil Levy (Youth Connexions Youth Worker), Nick, Helena, Laura, Kate, Heather, Rachel, Petr Novak (European Parliament representative) Katie Louise and Omar.
While in Brussels the group took the opportunity to learn about the history of the city visiting museums such as the Royaux des Beaux Art de Belgique. They sampled local food and culture including a visit to a chocolate factory.
Kate, Helena and Rachel pictured on the Hop on Hop off bus in Brussels.
At the European Parliament they met Petr Novak (European Parliament representative) who gave them an in depth presentation on the workings of the European Union. The group felt very special as they were given their own meeting room. Petr then gave them a tour of the Parliament building and in the evening they and had dinner with him where they had the opportunity to ask him questions.
The Watford Advocates meet every Thursday evening from 6pm-7.30pm in Watford.
If you want to know more about the group call Neil Levy, Youth Connexions Youth Worker on 01442 454090.
To see the film on Hertfordshire's young people's website click here