Civil Service in the news
Ministry helps students get their voices heard
2/11/2007 - Voice It! - Radiowaves website [External website] 
The Ministry of Justice is helping students launch their own internet radio stations, as part of a project to encourage young people to get their voices heard on important issues.
Working with Radiowaves, an award winning global network of internet radio stations, Radiowaves Voice It! encourages young people to create websites, blogs and podcasts to investigate, report and campaign on issues that matter to them. It also provides an opportunity for students' voices to be heard by the people who can really make a difference, such as local councillors, MPs and ministers.
A student said: “I wouldn't have been interested in voting before this project. This has made me want to stand up and say what I think instead of people saying what I think for me.”
Bridget Prentice said the project was “a fantastic example of how young people challenge the perceptions and stereotypes that some adults have about them.
Student
“This technology ensures a proper dialogue goes on between those who make the decisions and those who have decisions made about them.”
Dinendra Haria, from the democratic engagement branch in electoral policy division, said the project was ”hugely valuable“ and enabled teachers to fully support and engage young people on the issues of citizenship and justice.
He said: “Radio and internet are excellent tools for this purpose as young people are comfortable with these media and interested in using them.”
Radiowaves Voice It! will be rolled out to 30 schools and youth groups across the UK, with around 125 applications already received. The project was launched at your voice counts: MoJ youth conference on 9 October.
For more information: http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/voiceit.