Consulate-General in Chicago hosts young leaders roundtable (October 29, 2009)
On Friday, 23 October 2009, the British Consulate-General hosted an engaging roundtable discussion between a diverse group of young leaders from the UK and Chicago.
Five representatives of the UK's Young Muslims Advisory Group (YMAG) met with peers from Chicago non-profits Mikva Challenge and Uhlich Children's Advantage Network to discuss a range of issues, including civic leadership development and empowering young people to ensure safer and more productive futures.
Young Muslims Advisory Group
YMAG was launched in October 2008 as an effort to improve engagement between young Muslims and UK Government and vice-versa. YMAG consists of young (17-26 year-old) leaders from across England and across denominations. They have direct access to government Ministers and work to find solutions to a range of challenges including tackling discrimination, increasing employment levels, preventing extremism, and boosting civic participation. The group is funded jointly by two UK government departments - the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
Mikva Challenge
The Mikva Challenge is a nonpartisan organization that prioritizes the development of civic leadership in underserved Chicago high school youth. Mikva Challenge was founded in 1997 as a tribute to former White House Counsel, Judge and US Congressman Abner Mikva and his wife Zoe, a lifelong education activist.
Mikva Challenge staff help low-income Chicago youth become meaningful actors in politics and, by doing so, honor the Mikvas’ decades of inspiring young adults to embark on careers in public service and politics. Upon completion of the Mikva process, youth are enabled to see Chicago as their city and see how their power, knowledge and skills can be used to make it a more just and equitable place – both now and in the future.
Uhlich Children's Advantage Network
The mission of UCAN (Uhlich Children's Advantage Network) is to build strong youth and families through compassionate healing, education and empowerment. UCAN's Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Development Program offers services designed to empower young people to create life-changing opportunities that ensure safer futures.
UK foreign policy news
- Be on the Ball for World Cup 2010 (November 23, 2009)
- Queen's Speech debate 2009 (November 23, 2009)
- 'A golden opportunity for Cyprus' (November 23, 2009)
- Climate change high on Commonwealth agenda (November 22, 2009)
- Human Rights resolution on Iran (November 20, 2009)
- Change of Ambassador to Mozambique (November 20, 2009)
- Cluster munitions ban will make world a safer place (November 20, 2009)
- Resolutions on Burma and DPRK (November 19, 2009)
- Inauguration 'offers hope for the Afghan people' (November 19, 2009)
- Bloggers verdict in Azerbaijan (November 19, 2009)
