This week (Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May), almost 1000 children and young people from across the Liverpool City Region gathered at Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park for The Youth Summit – a major event brought to the borough as part of The Good Business Festival and Knowsley’s year as Borough of Culture.
Headlined by TV Presenter and conservationist Chris Packham and BBC broadcaster Ngunun Adamu, the summit gave all those who attended the chance to discuss their views on key issues like business and climate change. They also heard from inspiring role models and explored the effect of business on the natural world.
Chris Packham said:
“It’s crucial that we work with our young people to understand their concerns and find ways to make positive global change – so I was delighted to be part of Knowsley’s Youth Summit. It was fantastic to take part in such lively and thought-provoking discussions and I hope that the two-day event has inspired everyone who attended to take positive action and carry all they have learnt out into their lives.”
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council and who welcomed attendees on both days said:
“The Youth Summit was a real highlight of our year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. Culture isn’t just art or music, it’s about the world we live in and, in this case what we can all do to protect it for future generations.
“I’m so inspired by the energy and passion shown by the children and young people who took part in this event. I’m also incredibly proud that we brought this event to Knowsley for school children from right across our city region to come together and discuss what matters most to them.”
You can see pictures from the two day event here: https://flickr.com/photos/knowsleycouncil/albums/72177720299213458/with/52098530700/
During the two-day event primary and secondary pupils as well as members of Knowsley’s Youth Parliament explored topics including the environment, food production, oceans and sustainability, human and animal welfare and much more with presentations from UK Youth for Nature, Liverpool World Centre, and the British Antarctic Survey.
They also took part in art workshops to make wildflowers out of recyclable materials with artist Faith Bebbington, understand the importance of bees with beekeeper Andrea Ku, plant vegetables with Incredible Edible, complete a tiger mural by dot-art artist Joseph Venning with images of rubbish and watch a performance from KMT Freedom Teacher, a hip-hop gardener.
Knowsley: Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture
To find out more about our year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture, follow @cultureknowsley on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and visit www.cultureknowsley.co.uk.
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.
