European Union social inclusion policies recognise that young people are particularly susceptible to social, political and cultural exclusion. With this in mind, Capacity Global has set up the Just Cities project to help young people understand how decisions that affect their environment are made and how they can influence those decisions.
Just Cities works with excluded youth groups in Amsterdam, Berlin, London and Paris.
Using diaries, blogs, photos and films, participants document their environment and discuss options for its improvement, opening a dialogue between the youth groups and the decision makers who influence their lives.
This project was commissioned by Jean Lambert, Green Party MEP for London.
For more information or to get involved please contact: justcities@capacityglobal.org.uk
 Teenagers Present Crime Solutions to MEPs
On April 15th and 16th, the Just Cities teams from Amsterdam, Berlin, London and Paris met up in Brussles to deliver a presentation to the European Parliament about the issues they had explored throughout the year.
The teams told an audience of MEPs, experts and guests about their main concerns, and also presented suggestions for involving other young people in discussions about the environment and human rights.
The London team reported on a lack of activities for people of their age and the stigma attached to youth in London. "When you're between 14 and 18, like us, there's nothing to do," said Sam Bradley. "We can't even go to the gym."
Charles Olizaneku added: "The word 'youth' has become associated with many negative things like vandalism, poor attitudes and a lack of ambition. Many adults are quick to point the finger at youths."
The Amsterdam team reported that some areas of their city were nicely kept, but that others lacked care from the authorities.
The Paris team reported that kids from minority ethnic backgrounds were unfairly treated by the police and had fewer opportunities.
The Berlin group told MEPa about their campaign to raise awareness that cheap T-shirts encourage exploitation, child labour and environmental damage.
Later, the Green Party invited the teams to take part in their official meeting.
Reflecting on the events of the day, Tolani from the London group said: "It was really interesting to come here and see how the Parliament works. Many young people feel that we hear about environmental problems all the time but nothing is being done to improve the situation. It would be good if more people had the opportunity to become involved in decision-making."
Silent Tsunami
ITV News have been reporting on the soaring cost of food - how some basic things like bread have gone up in price by as much as 15 per cent in the past year.
But food prices are soaring everywhere - and the rising cost of staples such as wheat, maize and rice has sparked violence around the world. ITV's Senior Correspondent James Mates is on a round the globe mission to visit the areas worst hit in an effort to discover why prices are rising and how that is impacting on people, everywhere.
 Reporting from Argentina
Reporting from Port-au-Prince
James Mates will report from Manila
James Mates will report from New Delhi
James Mates' blog
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