Hackney Youth Parliament Debate. Pic: Creative Commons

Young people in Hackney have been invited to make their views known on topical issues at the borough’s annual youth conference on Saturday.

The youth conference of 11-19 year olds, is organised by the Hackney youth parliament – a democratic body which consults and represents the views of young people in Hackney.

Naomi Oshan, the event organiser says “the theme of the day is image versus identity and will explore the growing pressures young people now face”. Questions up for debate include whether ‘your life online will be used to judge the real life you?’ and ‘does the way you dress empower you or make you a fashion slave?’

Naomi Oshan says that  these questions  signify “the growing influence of the media and the internet on young persons lives”. What’s more, she says they reflect a mounting preoccupation with online image and identity for young persons.

Rita Chrishna, a Stoke Newington councillor and Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services will sit on the conference panel. In her words, “the Youth Conference gives young people the chance to speak out about some really challenging and interesting subjects and I’m always impressed by the really well considered, inspired debates that take place”.

Chrishna’s involvement is representative of Hackney Youth Parliament’s close connection with local decision-making – it works in direct conjunction with councillors throughout the year.

The parliament has been involved in a range of projects which improve and extend facilities for young people such as the Youth Opportunity Fund project. The conference has also had the help of the Council youth service which helps young people with housing, employment, education, health and legal matters.

The conference will be held on 19 October from 1-4 pm at Young Hackney, 29 Forest Road.

To book your place email naomi.ohsan@hackney.gov.uk with your name, age and school/college.