Students get a chance to have their Say

YOUNG people had an early lesson in how to pester politicians when their MP launched Local Democracy Week by visiting various secondary schools in Dover oh Monday.

For the second year running, Gwyn Prosser visited Archers Court, St Edmund's, Astor College of Art and the grammar schools to help students think about their role in local, national and global politics.

The students were each given an activist's handbook, detailing ways that young people can express their views, lobby government and take part in changing their communities and schools.

Michael Newman, the organiser of the event, said: "We need children to realise they are citizens now, that their lives are being affected by government now. We need them to start exercising their rights and to speak their minds so our politicians will listen to them and start improving their lives and solving their problems."

The young people raised many issues including health, safety, facilities for young people; transport and the Dover fair.

Dover Discovery Centre also took part in promoting the week With a special display put up on Tuesday, The scheme will culminate in a conference in November when pupils from Dover schools will spend a day at the council offices in Whitfield training to be activists and sharing their experiences of community work.

P Potter and R McKay attended from the boys'school.