‘Taken for Granted?’ Project to be launched in Parliament

A pioneering project to develop an interest in politics amongst disadvantaged young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups is to be launched in Parliament on Monday 23 May 2011.

‘Taken for Granted,’ a project of the Bernie Grant Trust, aims to inspire interest in the democratic process by creating opportunities for young people to examine past and present representation in British political life.

The late Tottenham MP, Bernie Grant, was one of the first Black British members of Parliament and an avid campaigner for equality.

The project will work with marginalised young people from the London boroughs of Haringey (where Bernie Grant was MP), and Tower Hamlets (Bishopsgate Institute is on the boundary of Tower Hamlets/City of London), and with the pan-London 100 Black Men organisation.

The young people will get the opportunity to attend special visits to the Palace of Westminster, develop bespoke research workshops at the extensive Bernie Grant Archive, before interviewing BAME MPs and Peers across all political persuasions.

The project has already inspired great interest from young people: “I want to know how the state of the economy is going to affect me as a young, Bengali girl from a poor background”; “I want to know was it easy for an Asian politician to make it into parliament”; "I can't wait to find out if black politicians get treated equally,” are typical of the types of questions already being asked.

Sharon Grant of the Bernie Grant Trust said:

“This project will contribute to the development of the participating young people as active and responsible citizens, giving them a greater knowledge of how politics works and the past and current battles to make Parliament more representative of our population. We hope that giving them the unique opportunity to meet current Parliamentarians and learn from successful BAME politicians will inspire the participating young people to see the difference they can make themselves through political engagement in their local communities and nationally.”

The project will operate from May to October 2011, and is funded by a Big Lottery “Awards for All” grant, with contributions from the Bernie Grant Trust and the Bishopsgate Institute. The Parliamentary Education Service is also a partner in the project. To find out more about it contact Project Co-ordinator is Cat Garrett at takenforgrantedbgt@gmail.com.