CHARLES CLARKE LAUNCHES CITIZENSHIP PROJECT
(19 May 2004)

Today Rt. Hon. Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education launched Operation Black Vote's citizenship project 'Understanding Power'. The project will enable 11 to 16 year olds to explore the dynamics of power that influence their day-to-day lives. By exploring areas of interest and familiarity: music, fashion, sport, identity and film, the concept of power in other areas - political, economical and social - no longer becomes a quantum leap for young people. The booklet, CD's and accompanying posters will go out to over 7,000 secondary schools in the first three months of the project, followed by a national road-show supported by a collective of hip hop groups.

The launch was at Oakland Secondary School, Old Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, London. Rt. Hon. Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education said: "Citizenship Education enables young people to become actively involved in their schools, communities and the wider world. Any programme that helps to assist and work alongside what is being done in schools is a positive. OBV is an important organisation that encourages more people from Black and ethnic minority communities to take part in politics, and I'm pleased to take part in this important next stage of their programme creating political literacy among young people".

Simon Woolley OBV National Co-ordinator stated: "Too many young people are completely disengaged from civic society. They believe it has little or no relevance to them. And yet in areas of their interest our youths are making important decisions everyday of their lives, and influencing the society we live in. This booklet and its occupying materials enables them to see just how powerful they are. This process will not only be a stepping stone for greater understanding of all aspects of power, but will also encourage greater participation within our democratic institutions".

The launch was chaired by OBV National Co-ordinator Simon Woolley, with a speech from the Rt. Hon. Charles Clarke and Mayoral advisor Lee Jasper and a performance by the groundbreaking urban poet, Adisa - whose exclusive promo 'eject the clip' was shown to a rapturous response. The launch was attended by a number of hip-hop celebrities, educationalists, anti-racist activists and other guests.

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