YAG
Liverpool Culture Company "Be Heard" Youth Advisory Group.
The YAG was established in July 2006. There are 30 members in the group aged between 10 and 20 yrs and they act as a medium that draws upon the experiences and opinions of young people across the City.
They are recognised as an auxiliary body to the Capital of Culture and they advise and are consulted on the 2008 Programme.
The YAG was formed after research by John Moores University revealed that young people thought:
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There is a need to build on existing groups for young people's participation in decision making
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Adult support is required in order for young people to participate
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More than half of young people involved in the research would like to receive Liverpool Culture Company information through leaflets, posters and mobile phone alerts
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The Youth Advisory Group has close links with the Cultures of Childhood Group which his made up of lots of children and young people's agencies.
The main aims of the YAG are to support and build on existing provisions and initiatives that involve children and young people and they not only advise and consult with the Capital of Culture Team but also work in partnership with other external agencies such as Merseyside Police, Liverpool University, Liverpool Youth Service, Cultures of Childhood Group along with Liverpool Young Culture Action Group and the Liverpool Children's Festival, River TV, HUB Festival Music Panel, Streetwaves, Portrait of a Nation.
On entering into 2008 the YAG has recognised that its role is changing. In addition to advising and consulting with the Culture Company and other external agencies, they will increasingly represent young people across the City as Ambassadors and hosts to young people that visit Liverpool. They are already looking beyond 2008 and at how they can help with the sustained cultural provision and ensuring facilities for children and young people are sustained. The YAG see 2008 as key for children and young people to really experience culture within the City of Liverpool as a forward thinking Capital of Culture which will further grow and increase it's presence both regionally, nationally and internationally.
Their vision statement highlights their commitment:
"We're from the YAG and we represent the young people of the city of Liverpool. We are the Culture Company's Youth Advisory Group, and we represent the cultural development of the youth of Merseyside"
Throughout 2008 the YAG is greatly involved in a year long project called Portrait of a Nation. This is a project that involves 18 cities across Britain and gives young people from all of these cities a chance to look at their heritage and identity and share their experiences with other young people in cultural dialogue. All of the young people involved in PON will travel to Liverpool in December to showcase their work in St Georges Hall for two days and continue the cultural debate with other young people at St Georges Hall. The YAG will act as hosts and Ambassadors to these cities.
For further information about the "Be Heard" Youth Advisory Group please contact: Diane Clayton, YAG Coordinator, diane.clayton@liverpool.gov.uk or Alicia Smith, Young people and neighbourhood manager, alicia.smith@liverpool.gov.uk
