ANALYSIS: CITIZENSHIP - A chance to influence policy

"The future of our politics and our institutions will depend on the young people of today as the citizens of tomorrow."

This is how education minister Charles Clarke introduced the Government's response to the second manifesto from the UK Youth Parliament. This document, published on 28 May, seeks to answer the questions and areas of concern made by youth parliament members in their manifesto.

Brought together by the Government's cross-departmental Children and Young People's Unit, the response deals with issues such as health, education and law. It doesn't promise all the answers, but it could advance mutual understanding between the youth parliament and the actual parliamentarians.

The tone of the document, called Working with Young People, is of collaboration and openness between the Government and young people. This is highlighted in three case studies (see panel).

Peter Clarke, general manager of the youth parliament, says there has historically been a sense that the Government has responded defensively when challenged. "We are trying to move from that to get into a dialogue and really make a difference," says Clarke. "This response is the first sign of this."

The response makes young people's input a theme throughout, acknowledging the role they can play in shaping government policy. Clarke points out that not only is it difficult for young people to work with government departments and officials, but it can be daunting for civil servants to deal with young people. "We are making progress," he adds.

David Taylor, 18, a member of the youth parliament procedures group for the eastern region, says there is no faulting the presentation of the response.

"I hope that over the next few years this continues," says Taylor. "We are a very representative group but we still intend to become more so."

Addressing the issues

Sexual health, parenting and mental health are a major part of the manifesto, which questions the level of advice and support in schools. In its response, the Government sets out how it will be asking local education and health authorities to help secondary school pupils get better access to advice, and how it plans to improve sex and relationships education. A young people's conference on sexual health and teenage pregnancy is planned for this summer, while a children's version of the drugs strategy is currently in development.

A proposal for a fund to allocate grants to youth projects that enable young people to take greater control of activities and facilities was in the youth parliament manifesto. This could result in a youth fund brought in under the National Lottery review, enabling young people to have more input.

Members of the youth parliament have put an emphasis on transport issues, in a debate and through their involvement in the Children and Young People's Unit's Safely on Our Streets event, both last November. Acknowledged in Working with Young People and by Clarke as a key issue, the need for affordable transport could be addressed by half-fare concessions for 16 to 19-year-olds, though the "very high" cost, at 180m a year, could put the brakes on this. The unit is soon to produce a follow-up report on Safely on Our Streets.

Another imminent publication is the relaunched Stop and Search - Know Your Rights, a leaflet on rights during police searches, published by the Association of Police Authorities. This might address youth parliament concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of stop-and-search.

Key to the youth parliament's aims is involving disengaged and disenfranchised groups, and there aren't many groups more disengaged and disenfranchised than young offenders and ex-offenders. It has started to explore how these young people can be given more of a voice.

Stephen Twigg, schools minister, was present for the launch of the Government's response. Twigg pays tribute to the youth parliament for playing a "vital and successful" role in presenting the views of young people.

"Not only does the youth parliament allow young people's views to be heard, it also plays a key role in encouraging active citizenship." he says.

Frank Hardee, 17, is a member of the youth parliament for Canterbury and Swale in Kent. He also calls for more collaboration in the future.

"We made our views clear in our manifesto and we are pleased the Government has now given us its reply," says Hardee. "But now we want to see things happen as a result."

For copies of the Working with Young People document call the Department for Education and Skills publications order line, 0845 602 2260.

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

- Members of the UK Youth Parliament met with Department for Work and Pensions officials in February to explore how young people could become more involved. This is to be the start of an ongoing process

- Lambeth Youth Council is running the Stop and Search Project, which is working with the police to improve their approach to stop-and-searches and to reduce tensions with young people

- The Children's Voices Project is building a bridge between five to 13-year-olds and Bradford decision-makers.