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Equality Camp unites young people from different backgrounds

10 August 2009

More than 90 UK young people from all walks of life are in the Lake District this week for five days to learn more about each other at Our Space, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s annual summer camp.

For many of this week’s young participants, this is their first time away from home, family and friends and an opportunity to meet people with completely different lives.

Our Space, aims to help break down barriers of mistrust which can exist when people from different backgrounds do not interact. The event is offering its participants, all aged between 13 and 15, the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and to build their confidence.

By running this camp, with its mix of outdoor team building activities such as navigation, orienteering, hiking or canoeing and intensive workshops on themes centred around diversity, leadership and equality, the Commission aims to get the participants to build knowledge, skills and passion to make positive changes in their homes, communities and lives.

The camp also gives the Commission an opportunity to listen and learn from young people about their attitudes to growing up in Britain today and the kind of society they would like to live in.

Participants from last year’s inaugural Our Space are also returning to share their experiences of the first camp and to show this year’s attendees how they have put their new found knowledge and skills towards the camp’s raison d’etre – creating a fairer society for all.

Participants on this year’s camp include youngsters from Northern Irelend, all corners of England, Scotland and Wales. They come from all kinds of educational institutions, both able bodied and disabled plus a variety of ethnic backgrounds. All places were free and were awarded to those who, through their written applications, showed the most understanding and commitment to equality and human rights.

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission said:

'I hope these young campers will get a huge amount out of the week and go back to their schools and friends filled with enthusiasm for the idea everyone is different but everyone can get on together and learn from each other’s experiences.

'It’s important an organisation like the Commission is listening to young people because our mandate is about ensuring everyone has a chance to get on in life, regardless of their background.  We need to understand their hopes and aspirations for the future.  We want to know what helps and what hinders them when it comes to fulfilling their ambitions or becoming good citizens.  The ‘Our Space’ camp is just one way in which we can start to build a relationship with young people and ensure their opinions influence our work.'

Ends

For media enquiries please contact Rachel Furst PR; 07957457668 / 0161 9038082 / rachel.furst@virgin.net

Notes to Editors

• Our Space runs from 11 to 13 August at the Lakeside YMCA, Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Lake District.
• 93 young people aged between 14 and 15, from all corners of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will be taking part in this year’s camp.
• Participants at the camp reflect the diversity of Britain’s youth.
• Building on the leadership training offered to participants, the Commission aims to continue supporting the young people after the camp has finished.
• Graduates from Our Space 2008 are invited to act as peer leaders to the new 2009 campers.
• The camp is free to all those who attend.
• Response Development Training (RDT) has been appointed by the Commission to organise and run this year's camp. RDT is a specialist provider of leadership skills and interpersonal development training courses for both young people and adults.
• The Commission has a growing programme aimed at young people, which includes Our Space, the Young Brits at Art competition, as well as youth debates to inform the organisation’s strategy and policy development. For more information on its youth programme, visit: www.equalityhumanrights.com/youth 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act and international treaties. It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.