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BEBO 'Big Think' winners head to Downing Street

27 November 2009
CAB 103-09
 
Three innovative young people are heading to Downing Street to pitch their ideas about transforming communities to the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet.
 
This unique opportunity is part of Bebo's 'Big Think - Take Your Ideas to the Top' nationwide online competition, hosted by social-networking site Bebo, in partnership with the Cabinet Office.

For the first time ever, the doors of the Cabinet room will be opened for three competition winners, aged from 16-24, to pitch their ideas to Ministers on  tackling crime, improving careers and fighting climate change.

Thousands of people have visited the competition site on Bebo over the last two weeks and many submitted their ideas online. The final six suggestions include a website to advertise local weekend work and work opportunities for young people; a juice bar run by young volunteers; and 'job speed dating' - social events where young people have the opportunity to meet local employers.

The six shortlisted finalists are:

• Kieran Pettitt, 20, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.
• David Berrill, 17, from Godalming, Surrey;
• Saad Raja, 22, from East Putney, London;
• Danielle Burns, 24, from Belfast, Northern Ireland;
• Mark Robinson,17, from Fermanagh, Northern Ireland; and
• Pearl Amoateng, 21, from Tottenham, London.

These finalists will travel to Westminster on Monday and meet with expert mentors including Henry Bonsu, co-founder of Colourful Radio, and Andy Hamflett, the chief executive of the UK Youth Parliament, who will offer top tips on how to present their ideas. 

The three winners, who will go forward to present their ideas to the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, will be selected after pitching their ideas to a panel chaired by Minister for the Cabinet Office and Olympics Tessa Jowell. 
Other panel members include drum 'n' bass star Goldie, Apprentice winner and successful businesswoman Michelle Dewberry, record-breaking young mountaineer Jake Meyer and head of policy and development at The Prince's Trust, Ginny Lunn.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Olympics Tessa Jowell, said:

"I am delighted that so many young people have taken the time to put forward their ideas on how to tackle the issues which really matter to them. This competition is an opportunity of a lifetime for young people to tell Ministers what they think we should do to improve the country. I am looking forward to hearing the exciting and innovative ideas these young people have come up with to improve their communities."

Musician, DJ and star of the BBC hit show 'Maestro,' Goldie said:

"Kids need to know they're important and are our future. I'm glad they've got an opportunity to be heard and to tell the people who should be listening and acting on it."

Jake Meyer, the youngest Briton to have climbed the highest mountain on every continent, said:

"This is a great initiative that gives young people the chance to make a real difference. I can't wait to hear some of the ideas!"

Michelle Dewberry, entrepreneur and Apprentice winner, said:

"Bebo's Big Think offers young people the chance to have their ideas heard by some of the most important people in the country, which is absolutely fantastic. With some great mentors aiding the candidates' ideas and presentations, these young people are given a platform to have the chance to really change areas of society which are hugely important. "

Notes to editors

1. The finalists and their ideas, are:
   • Kieran Pettitt, 20, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire: a juice bar and youth café run by young volunteers;
   • David Berrill, 17, from Godalming, Surrey: a local website/message board about part-time work and weekend jobs opportunities aimed at 16-24 year olds;
   • Saad Raja, 21, from East Putney, London: a 'My Britain' website to link local youth groups and youth centres up to community groups, so young people can find out about local jobs opportunities and young people offering support for people in their community, for example running errands for older people;
   • Danielle Burns, 24, from Belfast, Northern Ireland: employment 'speed dating' events - social gatherings to link young people to local employers and job opportunities in the local area;
   • Mark Robinson, 17, from, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. A community centre run by young people.
   • Pearl Amoateng, 21, from Tottenham, London/ University of  Leicester. Set up centres running sessions to boost young people's self-esteem and help reduce crime.
2. The mentors are:
   • Henry Bonsu, co-founder of Colourful Radio;
   • Lindsay Johns, columnist and youth mentor;
   • Colleen Harris, the former group director of communications for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission;
   • Andy Hamflett, the chief executive of the UK Youth Parliament; and
   • Dominic Stinton, the managing director of VCCP Group.
3. Since Bebo's Big Think was launched in July 2009:
   • Bebo's Big Think has been viewed almost 220,000* times
   • There have been more than 40,000 comments and poll engagements
   • Five young people won the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister in a competition in July, with the event (hosted by T4's presenter Rick Edwards (Channel 4)) videoed and posted online (view the live debate visit [External website])
   • Bebo is a popular social network with over 8 million unique visitors in the UK. Since Bebo's Big Think was launched in July 2009 it has offered young people an independent youth-led online forum to discuss their views on the future of Britain as part of the Building Britain's Future conversation [External website];
   • Bebo's Big Think - Take your Ideas to the Top offered six young people the chance to have their ideas heard by the people at the very top of Government. The six finalists will be invited to a session on 30 November where they will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts and celebrities chaired by Minister for the Cabinet Office and Olympics, Tessa Jowell. The three winners will then go on to present their ideas to Cabinet Ministers on 1st December, with the possibility of departmental support to help the young people move their ideas forward. For more information on BEBO Big Think [External website]
   • A Press Association photographer will be present at the event.

For interview requests and further information contact David Meechan at the Cabinet Office press office on 020 7276 0021.

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