18-24 Collective Seize Power

The theme of the event, “Community Ownership” will bring to light issues that affect the local community and empower young people to make changes.

The conference will take place on Wed. 8th March 2006, 2pm- 4pm at B6 Sixth Form College, Brooke House, Kenninghall Road, Hackney, London, E5 8BP

There will be live and exclusive performances from up and coming UK urban artists “1824 collective”.  There will also be key-note speeches and a Question and Answer session with Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman MP QC and Dianne Abbott MP.

Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman MP QC said: “This democratic deficit – the gaps in the register is important for all those people who turn up to vote and are turned away.  But it’s also important because constituencies are based on the number of electors on the register.  The reality is that hard-pressed, poor, inner-city constituencies probably have as many residents who should be eligible to vote as affluent, sub-urban areas, yet the number of people actually on the register there is far lower. We cannot stand by and allow this situation to continue.”

Simon Woolley, Director of OBV said: “This campaign turns politics on its head - the organised urban electorate challenges its political candidates to deliver equality in employment, education and political representation. Voter registration is a crucial part of BME empowerment. This is real democracy at work. “

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said: 'Shockingly, a quarter of 18 to 24 year olds are not registered to vote. It is not in any of our interests that our young people seem so disengaged in the political process. These are the future generation of leaders and decision makers and it is important that they feel that their opinions are being heard.'