by Phil Kerry, CEO
Today is #InternationalYouthDay. The theme for 2024 is supposed to be about Digital Inclusion but given the events of last week I want to talk about something else.
Like many others I looked on the abhorrent racism and destruction that took place during last weeks riots, and like many others I breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday evening when the show of force – and love – from the anti-racist counter protestors stopped them in their tracks.
And although we have been able to slightly ease some of our safety precautions at the centre, I have been very careful to not say to staff “well I am glad that is over”. Because although the violence ended it is not like everyone went home and became a different person. The riots may have stopped but the racism will not have.
So as a society we are left with some big questions about what comes next and already people are rightly saying that the lasting consequences of the previous week – and potential solutions to ensure it never happens again – will define, make or break this new Government.
And this is where I think it is important to mention young people.
These riots felt and looked very different to the riots of 2011. Whereas those were an explosion of young people’s frustrations, the face of these riots were different and notably older. Does that mean that young people are less racist? Does it mean they are less likely to subscribe to far-right views? Does it mean they are less frustrated by their view of Britain?
I do not know but what we do know is that Gen Z are more likely to be more socially progressive, care more deeply about equality and want a fairer and more just world. We are not born into the world with carefully imprinted views and opinions. They come through our family and communities, they are shaped by the media (the old and the social) and they are influenced by our lived experiences.
Adults might not change but young people can, and it was of the reasons that initiatives like the NCS – National Citizen Service Trust have been – in principle at least if not always in practice – so important. We all make assumptions about ‘others’ much as I will about those taking part in the riots and much like they will have done about the people who have had to come here and claim asylum. The more we can bring people from diverse backgrounds together for shared purposes the more we might, together, begin to define what it means to live in modern day Britain.
David Cameron coined NCS as his means of unifying a generation of young people, Rishi had a last-minute attempt at National Service as a vote winner. The question now is what will Keir Starmer do and will he involve young people in its design?
