THE NATIONAL YOUTH AGENCY: Bournemouth youth shout 'We're Hear byRight' for youth work week

On the last day of National Youth Work Week 2003, Bournemouth Youth Council organised a conference to promote Hear by Right, the recently relaunched standards for involving young people produced by The NYA and Local Government Association. The event had a strong turnout of local councillors, including Cllr Rachel Palma, Bournemouth Council cabinet portfolio holder for young people, and key local business officials.

I was invited to speak for The NYA and outlined the standards and the principles of actively involving children and young people in decision-making. The event included three workshops, each with the aim of informing delegates of ways the Hear by Right standards could be successfully implemented into their organisations, and what the advantages of doing so were to children and young people, their organisations and the wider community.

There was also the opportunity to ask Bournemouth Youth Council (BYC) members, who organised the conference themselves, any questions about Hear by Right and Bournemouth Youth Council.

Cherrie Hughes, Bournemouth's deputy member of Youth Parliament, and a member of the BYC, said: "The event ran smoothly and proved very successful in that many of those in attendance asked to be part of the scheme." Well done to Bournemouth Youth Council.

- Hear by Right, priced 8.99, comes with an interactive CD-Rom: order your copy from NYA Sales on 0116 285 3709 or email sales@nya.org.uk.