University News Last updated 03 December 2015
Dozens of young people from across the region will taste their very own 'Question Time' this weekend at Birmingham City University's state-of-the-art broadcasting centre.
Teenagers from Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall have been taking part in Speak for Yourself, a project designed to give them the confidence and skills they need to have more say on issues affecting them.
This Saturday (December 5) 45 of them will take part in a series of short debates which will be recorded at the University's television studios - just days after the BBC's top political debate show is filmed in the city.
The discussions will be screened in front of the youngsters, parents, teachers and supporters at a special event on Sunday (December 6).
The screening will also be attended by key regional figures, including the High Sheriff of Birmingham and TV executive, Johnnie Turpie.
Professor Cliff Allan, Vice Chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: "This project has allowed us to support local young people and help them gain the skills and confidence to discuss and influence many of the issues affecting them.
Funded by West Midlands Police, the pilot project has been run jointly by Birmingham-based social enterprise ConnectJustice, F5 and Birmingham City University. This is an organisation working on issues of democratic engagement with young adults and Professor Diane Kemp and Bob Calver, academics at Birmingham City University's School of Media.
Former TV presenter Diane will produce and direct Saturday's recordings which will involve students from the School of Media acting as her studio team.
Zubeda Limbada, Director at ConnectJustice, said: "We've had an amazing time with the young people, watching them grow in confidence over the five weekends we've been working with them.
"They've learnt how to respond when persuading people, react to a topic in five minutes and articulate their point-of-view.
"During a visit to Facebook in London, the young people learnt how to create online campaigns even in their schools in Walsall or Coventry with only a mobile phone and their classmates.
"Watching young people develop and grow in confidence is what this project is all about, and they can't wait to go to the TV studios on Saturday to put all the skills they've learnt in action and be filmed in the process."
In a series of sessions in the three areas, the students have been guided in how to frame their arguments and how to present them effectively.