Shout Out UK

Last updated

Shout Out UK (SOUK)
SOUK-Wide-Metalic-RGB-OPT2-144ppi.png
Founded2015, London, United Kingdom
Focus Political literacy, media literacy, student journalism, student government, youth empowerment
Location
  • London, United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
MethodEdTech, Education, Youth voice
Key people
Matteo Bergamini (CEO)
Website shoutoutuk.org

Shout Out UK (SOUK) is a non-partisan social enterprise, based in the United Kingdom. Its mission is to strengthen democracy by providing training and programmes on media literacy and political literacy.

Contents

Shout Out UK was formed in August 2015 by Matteo Bergamini, whilst studying at Brunel University in Uxbridge. Shout Out UK have gained media attention for running the 2015 Youth Leaders' Debate, in partnership with Channel 4 and their collaboration with UK Drill artist Drillminister to encourage young people to vote in the 2019 general election. The New Statesman have named Shout Out UK's political literacy course as one methods of reviving political education in the UK. [1]

Youth leaders' debate

Shout Out UK gathered all of the youth leaders of the seven major British political parties in one place to debate politics and youth issues in front of a studio audience and live-streamed through All4, [2] [3] an online platform owned by Channel 4 News on 28 April 2015. [4] The project was in partnership with Channel 4 News and received UK wide coverage. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

The Youth Leaders Debate, hosted by Fatima Manji from Channel 4 News, differed from the main 2015 leaders' Debate by introducing buzzers. Seven themes were presented to the panellists, each had one chance to 'buzz in' and have one minute protected time for one question only. [10] Representatives from all the major UK political parties took part in the debate. [11]

Political literacy

After winning a local business competition called 'The Harrow Business Den 2016'. [12] Shout Out UK's work shifted to media literacy and political literacy training programmes in schools and colleges.

Shout Out UK's political literacy course covers an introduction to the politics of the United Kingdom, international relations (including brief overviews of the European Union, NATO and United Nations), media literacy, debating and public speaking. [13] [14] [15] The course ends with a Speech Night, during which students deliver speeches on issues they are passionate about in front of their parents/carers and local/regional/national politicians hosted at the school. [16] The organisation aims to enhance students’ ability to influence local policymaking, to engage in activism and to build their overall Emotional Resilience and Confidence. [17] [18] [19]

With the decline of citizenship education and no GCSE on Government and Politics, the political literacy course was noted by journalists at the New Statesman and National Student as signaling a revival of political education in schools. [20] [21] Shout Out UK was awarded the Harrow Business Den award in 2016. [22] Due to its work in schools, Shout Out UK's founder Matteo Bergamini was asked to give oral evidence to the House of Lords Citizenship and Civic Engagement Committee, alongside Voter Registration charity Bite The Ballot that led to the report 'The Ties that Bind'. [23]

National democracy week

On the 5 July 2018, Shout Out UK ran an event to ‘hack’ the problem Parliament has with the lack of representation of women, particularly those who are BAME or LGBTQ+. Despite 2018 marking the centenary of some women being allowed to vote, only 32 per cent of the House of Commons identifying as female that year. [24]

The event was hosted by Alexis Wieroniey, an American comedian and women's rights activist. Speakers included Milly Evans; founder of Our Progress Project, Valerie Vaz, the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Andrea Leadsom the then leader of the House of Commons. [25] [26]

PoliFest 2019

On 25 June 2019, Shout Out UK hosted #PoliFest, a festival bringing together politicians and young people to play sports and debate politics at Brunel University. PoliFest aimed to bring politicians and young people together through playing sport and to break down the barriers between Britain's youth and the ‘Westminster Bubble’. [27] The event was attended by both young people and politicians from across different political parties, including MPs Johnny Mercer, Nigel Huddleston and Tom Brake amongst others. [28] [29] [30]

#NoVoteNoVoice & Political Drillin

For the 2019 General Election, Shout Out UK partnered with Drillminister, a UK Drill music artist who first appeared on Channel 4 News for his track entitled 'Political Drillin'. [31] Drillminister and Shout Out UK created a campaign, entitled #NoVoteNoVoice, to encourage young people to register to vote and ultimately vote. The collaboration involved the creation of a track and music video entitled 'Peoples Vote'. The track was released on the YouTube channel Mixtap Madness. [32] It later featured on SBTV and UniLad Sound. [33]

The project ended with a concert held at Fairfield hall in Croydon on the final night before voter registration closed. That day it was estimated that over 600,000 people registered to vote, including over 250,000 under 25s. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

Stanmore Human settlement in England

Stanmore is a district in the London Borough of Harrow in Greater London. It is centred 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Charing Cross in the outskirts of the urban area and includes southern slopes of the unnamed ridge of hills rising to Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, 152 metres (499 ft) high. The town is based on the ancient Middlesex parish of Great Stanmore, separate from Little Stanmore where the 1st Duke of Chandos built Cannons house.

London Borough of Harrow London borough in United Kingdom

The London Borough of Harrow is a London borough in north-west London, England, and forms part of Outer London. It borders four other London boroughs – Barnet to the east of ancient Watling Street, Brent to the south-east, Ealing to the south and Hillingdon to the west – plus the Hertfordshire districts of Three Rivers and Hertsmere to the north. The local authority is Harrow London Borough Council. The London borough was formed in 1965, based on boundaries that had been established in 1934. The borough is made up of three towns: Harrow proper, Pinner, and Stanmore, but also includes western parts of Edgware; it is of suburban character and includes some countryside in the northern outskirts.

Michael Fallon British Conservative politician

Sir Michael Cathel Fallon is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for Defence from 2014 to 2017. A member of the Conservative Party, Fallon served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sevenoaks from 1997 to 2019, having previously served as the MP for Darlington from 1983 to 1992.

Harrow, London Town in Greater London, England

Harrow is a large town in Greater London, England and serves as the principal settlement of the London Borough of Harrow. Lying about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north-west of Charing Cross and 5.4 miles (8.7 km) south of Watford, the entire town including its localities had a population of 149,246 as of the 2011 census, whereas the wider borough had a population of 250,149.

Michael Gove British Conservative politician, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster & Minister for the Cabinet Office

Michael Andrew Gove is a British politician and writer serving as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster since 2019 and Minister for the Cabinet Office since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Surrey Heath since 2005. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as Education Secretary from 2010 to 2014, Chief Whip from 2014 to 2015, Justice Secretary from 2015 to 2016 and Environment Secretary from 2017 to 2019. He has twice run to become Leader of the Conservative Party, in 2016 and 2019, finishing in third place on both occasions.

Natascha Engel British Labour politician

Natascha Engel is a British former politician. She served as Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Derbyshire from 2005 until her defeat in the 2017 general election.

Jo Swinson Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Joanne Kate Swinson is a Scottish former Liberal Democrat politician who served as Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 22 July to 13 December 2019. She was the first woman and the youngest person to hold the position, as well as the holder of the post for the shortest period of time. Swinson served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Dunbartonshire from 2005 to 2015 and 2017 to 2019. In September 2020 Swinson became Director of Partners for a New Economy (P4NE).

Mike Johnston (politician)

Michael C. Johnston is an American educator and politician who served as the Colorado State Senator from the 33rd district from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a candidate for Governor of Colorado in 2018, losing in the primary. Johnston was also a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2020, though he withdrew from the race in September 2019.

Andrea Leadsom British Conservative politician

Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom is a Conservative politician who served as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from 2019 to 2020, and has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for South Northamptonshire since 2010. Leadsom served as the Leader of the House of Commons from 2017 to 2019. Leadsom has twice run to become Leader of the Conservative Party, in 2016 and 2019.

David Gustave, known as Dawood Gustave, is a British businessman, lawyer, former youth advocate and one-time political figure.

Next Up, formerly known as The Bus Project, is a non-profit organization that amplifies the voice and leadership of diverse young people to achieve a more just and equitable Oregon. For over sixteen years, Next Up has amplified the voice and leadership of diverse youth activists to achieve a more just and equitable state. They do this by achieving systems change, developing bold leaders, and mobilizing young voters.

Jim McMahon (politician) British Labour and Co-operative politician

James Ignatius O'Rourke McMahon is a British Labour Co-op politician serving as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport in the Shadow Cabinet of Keir Starmer since 2020. He has been the Member of Parliament for Oldham West and Royton since a by-election in December 2015. He has been a councillor since 2003 and served as leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. McMahon also sits on the National Executive Committee on behalf of the shadow frontbench.

Bite The Ballot

Bite The Ballot (BTB) is a party-neutral movement and registered youth democracy charity, based in the United Kingdom. Its mission is to empower young people to evolve UK democracy.

Vicky Foxcroft British Labour politician

Victoria Jane Foxcroft is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lewisham Deptford since 2015.

2019 United Kingdom general election General election held in the United Kingdom

The 2019 United Kingdom general election was held on Thursday, 12 December 2019. The Conservative Party, having failed to obtain a majority in the 2017 general election, had faced prolonged parliamentary deadlock over Brexit while it governed in minority with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), a situation which had forced the resignation of the previous Prime Minister, Theresa May.

2016 Conservative Party leadership election British Conservative Party leadership election

The 2016 Conservative Party leadership election occurred as a result of Prime Minister David Cameron's resignation as party leader. He had resigned following the national referendum to leave the European Union. Cameron, who supported Britain's continued membership of the EU, announced his resignation on 24 June, saying that he would step down by October. Theresa May won the contest on 11 July 2016, after the withdrawal of Andrea Leadsom left her as the sole candidate.

After the British EU membership referendum held on 23 June 2016, in which a majority voted to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom experienced political and economic upsets, with spillover effects across the rest of the European Union and the wider world. Prime Minister David Cameron, who had campaigned for Remain, announced his resignation on 24 June, triggering a Conservative leadership election, won by Home Secretary Theresa May. Following Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn's loss of a motion of no confidence among the Parliamentary Labour Party, he also faced a leadership challenge, which he won. Nigel Farage stepped down from leadership of the pro-Leave party UKIP in July. After the elected party leader resigned, Farage then became the party's interim leader on 5 October until Paul Nuttall was elected leader on 28 November.

More United is a cross-party political movement in the United Kingdom. It describes itself as a "tech-driven political startup" that supports candidates regardless of party affiliation. The movement advocates public service investment, democratic reform, a green economy, tolerant society, and co-operation with the EU.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle British Labour Co-op politician

Lloyd Cameron Russell-Moyle is a British Labour Co-operative politician who was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brighton Kemptown in the 2017 general election. He retained his seat in the 2019 general election.

2019 Conservative Party leadership election British Conservative Party leadership election

The 2019 Conservative Party leadership election was triggered when Theresa May announced on 24 May 2019 that she would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party on 7 June and as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom once a successor had been elected. Nominations opened on 10 June; 10 candidates were nominated. The first ballot of Members of Parliament (MPs) took place on 13 June, with exhaustive ballots of MPs also taking place on 18, 19 and 20 June, reducing the candidates to two. The general membership of the party elected the leader by postal ballot with the result announced on 23 July, with Boris Johnson being elected with almost twice as many votes as his opponent Jeremy Hunt.

References

  1. "The strange neglect of political education - and how to revive it". New Statesman.
  2. "Youth Leaders Debate". Channel 4.
  3. "Youth Leaders Debate". Shout Out UK.
  4. "Youth Leaders Debate". Channel 4.
  5. "Channel 4 Streams the First Ever 'Youth Leaders Debate' - And It's About Time!". HuffPost.
  6. "Can You Guess Who Said What At The Youth Leaders' Debate?". Grazia.
  7. "Youth Leaders Debate to stream on All 4". Royal Television Society.
  8. "General Election 2015: Next up for a TV debate - the parties' youth leaders". Independent.
  9. "Channel 4's Youth Leaders Debate (2015)". IMDB.
  10. "The Youth Leaders' Debate: A new voice for the 2015 General Election". LSE.
  11. "Youth Leaders' Debate - Profiles". Channel 4.
  12. "Stanmore Business and Innovation Centre are congratulating one of their customer for winning Harrow Business Den 2016". West London Business.
  13. "Most people think politics should replace religious studies in schools, poll shows". TES.
  14. "Survey 92 think political education should be compulsory in schools". TES.
  15. "Politics but not as we know it". The Times Red Box.
  16. "Political Literacy Course at CamVC". Cambourne VC.
  17. "Political literacy course introduced at Stanmore school in light of EU referendum". Harrow Times.
  18. "Teach political literacy in schools to avoid the ignorance of 2016". The Times.
  19. "Political Literacy: An End To Apathy?". Huff Post.
  20. "The strange neglect of political education - and how to revive it". New Statesman.
  21. "Renewed calls for politics to become part of the school curriculum". The National Student.
  22. "First political literacy course run by Harrow Business Den winners completed at Stanmore secondary". Harrow Times.
  23. "The Ties that Bind:Citizenship and Civic Engagement in the 21st Century" (PDF). The House of Lords.
  24. "Women in Parliament and Government". The House of Commons.
  25. "Andrea Leadsom Talks About #WomenInPolitics Hackathon". Youtube.
  26. "We Need More Women In Politics". Youtube.
  27. "PoliFest". London Live.
  28. "PoliFest 2019 event for Youth Participation". Nigel Huddleston.
  29. "Tom Brakes Political Barriers at #Polifest". Tom Brake.
  30. "PoliFest, The Youth Political Sports Festival". WinkBall.
  31. "Drill Artist or MP?". Channel 4 News.
  32. "#RegisterToVote Drillminister - Peoples Vote (Music Video)". Mixtap Madness.
  33. "Drillminister Encourages Young People To Register To Vote". UniLad Sound.
  34. "Voter Registration Dashboard". UK Government.