Young politician is out to Africa
Ben Wesson, Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP), is heading to Sierra Leone on a mission to forge a special link with African teenagers.
Ben, aged 17 and from Leamington Spa, is spending two weeks with One World Link, an organisation which aims to promote friendship between the two cultures, from Friday (October 23).
During his expedition to the town of Bo, Ben will visit schools and youth clubs. He will be looking into many issues affecting young people, promoting sexual health awareness, investigating the quality of social work and public services and encouraging active citizenship.
Ben, who attends North Leamington School sixth form, is supported in his work as a Deputy MYP by Warwickshire County Council.
He said: “The ultimate purpose of One World Link is to promote friendship between two cultures in this global village which we live in. The hope is that the friendships we make will be long-lasting and help sustain the link for years to come.
“Such a visit also brings with it the opportunity for cultural awareness building and I will actively reach out to vulnerable and ‘hard to reach’ young people to involve them in our projects at both ends of the link.”
Ben was elected as a deputy MYP in February and served an MYP the previous year.
Warwickshire has four MYPs and four deputies. During their term of office, the youngsters represent the views and interests of young people in their constituencies, both locally and nationally, by meeting councillors, MPs and other decision makers to take forward issues of local importance. Last year’s MYPs brought three national campaigns to the fore including votes at 16, cheaper transport for young people and better relationship and sex education.