November 4th was the launch of Capacity Global's 'Just Cities' toolkit at the Globe Academy School in Southwark. The toolkit is designed to help young people understand how decisions that affect their communities and their environment are made. It also gives practical advice about how they can influence these decisions by campaigning on the environment and social justice.

The launch was attended by Jean Lambert, Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London, Capacity Global's director Maria Adebowale and a group of year 9 students from the Globe Academy, Soutwark. As part of the launch the Globe students discussed the meaning of environmental justice and how it impacts on their life.

The toolkit is part of Capacity Global's Just Cities project, which aims to start a conversation with young people about their vision for the communities they live in and how they can change the world for the better.

Jean Lambert MEP, who supported the project said:

“A clear message from young people involved in some earlier research from Capacity Global was that they were interested in their environment and community but didn't know to get involved. This toolkit helps to answer their needs. It has been done with young people for young people. They need to be part of the decision-making that shapes their lives. I hope that the toolkit will encourage young people across the capital to exercise their democratic powers and to make a positive difference”.

The Just Cities project was designed in 2005 in response to the riots across Europe, which took place in a context of young people facing problems of poverty, high unemployment and racial discrimination.

The toolkit was co-written by young people who participated in the Just Cities project. It is a positive ‘can-do' alternative to the riots witnessed this summer. Capacity Global’s director Maria Adebowale said:

‘‘With this summers riots, higher education being made ever more expensive and jobs being harder to come by, it’s not surprising that young people feel opportunities available to them are becoming increasingly slim. Crucially, young people often feel too excluded from their communities and political processes that can change things. The Just Cities project aims to help more young people get their voices heard in the political processes that can improve the environment, communities and economic opportunities.”

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Pictures from the Just Cities toolkit Launch November 2011

About Just Cities

The Just Cities Youth Group will champion youth political participation; campaing on issues that affect young people's lives, provide inspiration, training and tools for change.

The Just Cities Youth Group can deliver bespoke training for:

young people on practical ways to improve the environment
how to work with young people on environmental and social issues
organisations who are looking to include young people in their work remit

We can bring to your organisation fun and exciting workshops, that will deliver information, new skills and a new way of looking into youth issues. Some of the workshops are delivered by young people trained during the Just Cities project.

The Just Cities Youth Group created this space where young people around the world can share concerns and thoughts about their environment and discuss options for its improvement.

Click here to read about Just Cities Interactive Workshop

Click here to join Just Cities Facebook

Click here to go to Just Cities Blog

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