Respect? Campaign

Recently publicised on the BBC, Sky, Smooth FM and Colourful FM:

"This report puts its finger on the pulse of young people and gives them a chance to speak for themselves. Its recommendations must be taken seriously by journalists, politicians and charities involved with youth work. Young people, like everyone else, want to have opportunities and to be treated with respect. Unfortunately, ‘young-people bashing' has become something of a national pastime, one that we must snap out of."   -   Jenny Willott MP, Liberal Democrats, Youth Affairs spokesperson

An evaluation of the Respect? campaign has been published highlighting how young people are working to improve their image in the media.  Published by YouthNet and the British Youth Council, the evaluation tells how young people have training and advice on how to get their point across to the people who matter such as MPs and the media.

The Respect? Campaign was launched in 2005 following research that found that over 80% of young people believe the way they are treated in the media and in politics causes older people to respect them less.  It is led by a team of 8 young people, aged 16 to 24, known as the Respect? Young People's Advisory Group (RYPAG). The members get together with YouthNet and BYC every month to plan, discuss and support the development of the campaign.  They also attend events around the country, liaising with MPs and journalists about important issues, and do their best to drum up support for the campaign using tools such as their Facebook page, which now has over 400 members.

The evaluation also shows just what the young people got out of the campaign such as boosting their personal confidence, gaining campaigning experience and making new friends and contacts.  Also included are 13 top tips on how best to get young people involved in campaigning, including explaining what's in it for them, recruiting a diverse group, and improved communication and training.

Sophie Manning, member of RYPAG, said: "What's made me keep coming back over the years is that I've got so much out of it. I've had lots of training and changed my career plans as a result of it.  I also feel like I've really made a difference to society because the issues surrounding public perceptions of young people are changing and I know I've contributed to that."

The Respect? campaign has received widespread acclaim and has achieved several successes including an early day motion in the House of Commons, extensive media coverage on Sky and BBC, and a commendation from the Government's 10-year youth strategy, Aiming High for Young People, which cites the campaign as an example of good practice.

To view or download the full evaluation click on the document cover above.