Thirteen MPs from across the globe join St Edmund’s Catholic School for powerful discussion on youth issues
In a remarkable show of global collaboration, 13 parliamentary MPs and representatives from the Commonwealth visited St Edmund’s Catholic School on 13th March to engage with Year 11 Citizenship students.
This event provided a unique opportunity for young people to present their research, voice their concerns, and debate issues they feel passionate about with international policymakers.
Among the distinguished attendees were Honourable Daniel Amadu Bangura and Honourable Mohamed Tarawallie Fofanah from Sierra Leone, Honourable Akanni Clement Ademola from Nigeria, Mr Gary Clueit MLC from the Isle of Man, and Ms Effie J. Triantafilopoulos MPP from Ontario, Canada, to name a few. They joined MP Stephen Morgan and other representatives from Australia, the UK, and Ascension Island for an enriching session focused on topics close to the hearts of today’s youth.
The students shared their Citizenship coursework on a variety of pressing issues, ranging from tackling racism in football, addressing gender inequality in sports, and religious injustice, to improving educational support for low-income countries and combating youth violence. In turn, they asked MPs about current policies and discussed the growing concerns surrounding social media, including proposals to raise the minimum age for use.
This visit not only allowed pupils to engage with prominent leaders but also gave them a platform to discuss the future of democracy, politics, and social justice. The experience was both inspiring and empowering, helping students feel more confident in their roles as active citizens and advocates for change.