TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham CBE will headline a ‘Youth Summit’ with BBC journalist Ngunan Adamu at Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park on 23 and 24 May this year.
The event is part of The Good Business Festival (TGBF) and a highlight of Knowsley’s year as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.
Chris and Ngunan will welcome thousands of young people from across the region to discuss their views on key issues like business and climate change. They will also hear from inspiring role models and explore the effect of business on the natural world. Themes and topics will include the environment, food production, oceans and sustainability, human and animal welfare and much more.
The Youth Summit is part of the TGBF education programme and will include a set of special workshops for young people delivered by partners including Dot Art, Metal, UK Youth for Nature, Liverpool World Centre, Incredible Edible, Knowsley Flower Show and the British Antarctic Survey.
Organisers have linked in with primary and secondary schools and colleges across the Liverpool City Region along with Knowsley Youth Parliament and Merseyside Youth Association to maximise young people’s access and participation and give them free access to the Summit.
Wayne Hemingway MBE, Creative Director, The Good Business Festival, commented: “The Good Business Festival’s goal is to collaborate with people of all ages and all businesses to tackle the big challenges that our society faces, from creating sustainable food to better housing, and examining how business can become a force for positive change.
“The Youth Summit is such an important part of our programme and we are delighted that the young people of the region will have their own opportunity to be part of our global movement to encourage positive change for all.”
More about Chris Packham CBE
Chris Packham has gained recognition as a television presenter, naturalist, award winning conservationist, campaigner, photographer and author.
As a broadcaster he began his career as a presenter on The Really Wild Show in 1986 and has since presented many programmes including BBC’s BAFTA award winning Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. He has also contributed to programmes including Blue Planet Live (BBC), Asperger’s and Me (BBC), Earth Live and Yellowstone Live (National Geographic Channel), Chris Packham: Forever Punk (BBC), Chris Packham’s Animal Einsteins (BBC).
On the publication of “Fingers in the Sparkle Jar: A Memoir” in 2016, Chris revealed that he had Asperger’s. His memoir achieved critical acclaim. It became a Sunday Times Best Seller in just 2 weeks and was later voted the UK’s Favourite Nature Book in an online poll organised by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Chris was appointed a CBE in 2019 for his services to wildlife and nature conservation. Three years later he received the Wildscreen Panda Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of his significant contribution to wildlife filmmaking, conservation and the public’s understanding of the environment.
Chris is a tireless campaigner for many conservation and wildlife issues and supports many wildlife, conservation and environmental charities as president, vice president, patron and supporter.
More about Ngunan Adamu
Ngunan is an experienced journalist, broadcaster and project manager. Ngunan currently produces and presents BBC Radio Merseyside’s popular ‘Upfront‘ show, an African Caribbean magazine show which celebrates 40 years in 2022. As an entrepreneur and community leader, Ngunan has developed and led initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in the media.
She is also the founder and CEO of iWoman Media ltd and iWoman Academy CIC (www.iwoman.co.uk) – a peer to peer organisation set up by women to empower, entertain, explore and inspire women around the world.
The Good Business Festival
The Good Business Festival is the world’s largest responsible business festival that is formed around six showcase events across the Liverpool City Region and a three-day action-packed programme of events running from 22 to 24 March. The Youth Summit is one of the festival’s legacy events.
For more information visit www.thegoodbusinessfestival.com#
Borough of Culture
The Borough of Culture title was introduced by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. It is awarded annually on a rotational basis to one of the six local authorities that make up the Liverpool City Region.
The Borough of Culture is part of the 1% for Culture initiative which commits at least 1% of the Liverpool City Region’s annual gain share (£300k) to cultural projects/activities. Established as an annual award rotating around the boroughs, the Borough of Culture helps to celebrate, amplify and strengthen the existing cultural offer, develop new ideas and initiatives that will underpin future development and legacy.
Liverpool City Region is the first Combined Authority to have control over culture in its devolution deal, utilising many of the region’s existing assets and talent to stimulate cultural and creative opportunities.
The Borough of Culture was first launched in St Helens in 2018, followed by Wirral 2019, Sefton 2020, Halton in 2021 and is currently held by Knowsley for 2022. The programme rotation will recommence in 2023 back in St Helens.
