Young public speakers take on House of Lords
Winners of the world’s largest youth speaking competition – Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! -were honoured at the House of Lords on 20 October 2009.
At the ceremony, Baroness Hayman, the first ever speaker of the House of Lords, opened the floor to the 15 year old winners of last year’s competition to give their views and opinions on topics close to their hearts.
The first place winner, Eniola Alonge from Lewisham won the competition for her speech on, ‘The Way things Were.’ In second place was Yinka Ogunbiyi from Sutton who spoke about ‘The Beauty of Lies,’ and in third place was, Helen Chamberlain from Hillingdon speaking about ‘World Poverty’.
Reporting the story from a young person’s perspective was Headliners journalist, 14 year old Kamil Boriel. “I had a great day. It was a fantastic opportunity to report on the achievements of these young speakers, as well as seeing how government makes its decisions,” he said.
The winners were selected from over 20,000 contestants who took part in one day training sessions at their schools, and then competed in school assembly finals, followed by regional heats. The House of Lords event kicked off the search for next year’s best young public speakers.
“The competition is the world’s biggest youth speaking event and it offers young people a unique platform to get their voice heard. It has helped thousands of young people to be more eloquent in expressing their views and opinions, and has given them a boost in confidence as well,” said Julie Holness, the Programme Director for Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge.
The Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge is a training programme to help young people develop the skill of public speaking and is delivered in state secondary schools by professional SpeakersBank trainers. Now in its fifth year, over 48,000 teenagers have been a part of the competition.
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Notes to the editor
For more information or to request interview, photographs or audio video footage contact Media and Communications Officer Yemi Lufadeju
E: yemi.lufadeju@headliners.org
T: 0207 7749 9386
About Headliners
Headliners is a UK media agency which inspires and encourages the personal development of young people through journalism.
Through Headliners, young people are trained to research and write stories on issues that are important to them for publication in national and local newspapers, magazines, television and radio. For more information about the charity, visit www.headliners.org
About The Jack Petchey Foundation
Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex. The Foundation is eager to help young people take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. Since it has been established the Foundation has awarded grants totalling over £60million. www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
