Westminster: Students unite across cultures to create change

Houses of Parliament - ICN

As the election year starts, 30 young global leaders from different religious and cultural backgrounds are getting together to make an impact across the country. The university students on 3FF’s leadership programme ParliaMentors will be meeting with MPs in Parliament as the year-long initiative launches on Tuesday 2 September.

At a time when the twin topics of politics and faith are most likely to bring to mind issues of international conflict or community tensions, these university students are instead using their beliefs – both religious and non-religious – to inspire positive change.

ParliaMentors participants from universities in London, Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham will create and deliver social action projects addressing issues in their communities and beyond, while receiving leadership training and being mentored by MPs and Peers. At the 2 September launch event, the students will be also be joined by third sector leaders and alumni of the programme as they make valuable connections with decision-makers and potential supporters of their projects.

Later that week, they will have an opportunity to pitch their social action projects to the Mayor of Camden and local councillors in a special event at Camden Town Hall.

ParliaMentors is run by 3FF, the Three Faiths Forum. Since 2007, more than 250 people have graduated from the programme and more than 50 MPs have been involved as mentors. This year ParliaMentors will participate in the British Council Active Citizens Programme.

The Active Citizens programme develops leadership, peace building and intercultural skills in people living in communities around the world, and promotes community cohesion and sustainable development through civic engagement, social action projects and volunteering. Since its establishment in 2009, the Active Citizens programme has delivered training to over 510,000 volunteers in over 40 countries.