2002

EastEnders actress Bindya Solanki hopes the BBC soap has given her a springboard to a bright future.

A recycled computer tells Children's Express how his life has changed since leaving the city for a new life in the classroom.

Media & arts, Values & religion, Law & crime, Social affairs

London's Science Museum has brought the world of James Bond vividly to life in a new exhibition of spy-friendly gadgets and gizmos.

Young journalists offer their examination tips for Year 7 pupils preparing to sit the 11 plus school transfer exam.

After watching a production of Macbeth, Children's Express reporters reflect that life hasn't changed much for some children around the globe.

11-year-old Nestor came to England in 1995 to escape the war in Burundi. Now he says London is home, but he still hopes to return to Africa one day

With a Filipino mother and an English father, 12-year-old Cindy says she gets the best of both worlds.

The adult founder of the UK Youth Parliament believes the organisation has an important future, but the government has to get fully behind it.

The changing relationships between teachers and pupils have affected the way schools deal with bad behaviour and bullying - but young people argue that needn't be a bad thing.

The young people and adults who help keep the Children and Young People's Unit on track explain their roles, and their expectations of the government.

Climbing, sailing, throwing up... all in a week's work on the Tall Ship Prince William for CE journalist Chris McCartney.

Photo-journalists from Children's Express unveil their perspective on the teen skateboarding culture in Belfast for a special city exhibition.

A new, frank exploration of puberty for boys makes a refreshing change, and is just the book for teenagers.

Young reporters count their blessings after a harsh reality check among the children who work the stone quaries of Accra, Ghana.

Young people are just as uncertain - and divided - about the single European currency as the politicians are.

The government wants to start teaching French to seven-year-olds, but schoolchildren themselves are divided over the idea.

White kids - and comedians - who play at being black aren't fooling anyone, and can cause offence.

Young people discuss whether smacking is child abuse by definition, or a valid way of parents showing loving discipline.

Three young people explain how they found their voices in the care system.

10 year-old Alfred can't walk to school on his own because of bullies - and there are thousands more children just like him.

Are Britain's specialist 'art colleges' elitist? Children discuss what art means to them, and whether there's a place for specialising at school.

Children's Express reporters ask celebrities why kids should get involved in the arts at the launch of the Prince of Wales Arts and Kids Foundation

A Christmas stage production of the classic children's story puts one word on the lips of our young reviewers: 'Wow'.

England soccer captain Angela Banks tells Children's Express why she thinks it's time for women to take a more prominent role in the sport.

An unexpectedly pleasant surprise awaits young visitors, if they can set aside their dusty expectations of museums.

Are children turning back to books, or have their imaginations been permanently captured by video games?

Our reviewers loved the comedy sci-fi sequel Men in Black II for its humour and special effects, even if some of the film's jokes aren't for the over-sensitive.

Two new novels peak inside the lives of troubled boys, and make for thought-provoking reading.

Talking about ending racial tension is a good start - but people, including the young, need to change their behaviour if serious progress is to be made.

The sea of white faces at Jessica's new school came as something of a shock after years in London's multi-racial environment.

Two young reviewers rate the hits - and misses - at Disney's newest theme park in Paris, the Walt Disney Studios

What happens when you let young people debate issues in the council chamber? Children's Express reporters found out.

Young people from Northern Ireland are putting each other's lives up on the big screen, thanks to an innovative new media project.

Children's Express reporters preview Grossology, the Science Museum's exhibition about bodily functions.

Young people are developing more exotic tastes when it comes to food - but how well are London's restaurants prepared for such a youthful clientele?

Teenage reporters Stephen Cording and Chris Fletcher reflect on the opportunities they've had since joining Children's Express.

Birmingham member Paras Patel explains how Children's Express helps young people develop a range of different skills.

Jermaine Jenas, Britain's second most expensive teenage footballers, talks about his career so far and England's chances in the World Cup.

An enterprising community initiative is giving young people in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, the chance to boost their self-esteem through learning circus skills.

Children's Express reporters tell BBC Radio listeners about the deliberations by young people and world leaders at the first United Nations Special Session on Children.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling gets a grilling from Children's Express about one of the biggest issues for young people - getting from A to B.

Children's Express reporters discover rival tribes on the streets of Belfast as they expose the rich underbelly of youth culture.

The children of gay parents can't understand why other people think it's such a big deal - but it forces them to keep it secret.

High numbers of school
exclusions have got Northern Ireland's educators worried. Are students
removed from mainstream education being cheated
of their rights?

Black teenagers are already fed up for getting the blame for street crime - now they're getting it in the neck at school as well.

What's it like to read the news? Children's Express reporters get in front of the camera sky.com's Reach for the Sky careers roadshow.

Children and teenagers say what they really think about the rise and fall of manufactured pop bands.

Trash is transformed in a region-wide schools competition to make fantastic costumes out of old rubbish.

Offer some children an opportunity - an outlet for their voices - and they'll seize it with both hands...

Thousands of children are still being forced into hard manual labour just to stay alive - but some are being helped to start new lives.

Northern Ireland's teenagers deserve a peaceful education - so why are adults turning schools into sectarian battlegrounds?

By now everyone should be able to tell their Voldemorts from their Fluffies and you should have some knowledge of the rules of Quidditch. Children's Express journalists explore the Harry Potter phenomena.

This new streetdance production at the Sadler's Wells theatre is guaranteed to get even Granny bouncing in her seat, according to our young reviewers.

Plymouth schoolchildren explain what the monarchy means to young people and whether the Queen's Golden Jubilee matters.

Teenagers from New York share their experience of the terrorist attack on their city with young reporters from Belfast.

Children's Rights, Education, Media & arts, Law & crime

Young people found themselves caught in the
middle when the issue of sexual health became a battleground at the United
Nations Special Session on children.

Children's Express reporters find Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones has visual fireworks, but a script lacking in spark.

Young reviewers tour the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham for Museums and Galleries month - but come away with no plans for a repeat visit.

... on every street corner, drugs are openly discussed. So how much do children know? Children's Express journalists reflect on their own experiences.

The UK's youngest Member of Parliament, 29-year-old David Lammy could just be the man to inspire young people to get interested in politics again.

Young people don't think Prince Harry has been dealt with fairly by the media, or his father.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is on the way to introducing a Children's Commissioner. But are the politicians going to give the children's champion the power to make a difference.

Black broadcasters talk about being part of a minority in the media, as the trade union Bectu attacks the race divide which it says persists in British broadcasting.

Why do people needlessly harm animals? Young people give their views on animal cruelty.

With more asylum seekers settling in Britain every year, Children's Express asks young people what they think.

Uniforms are a pain, and impressing new teachers can be tough - but children say the first day back at school can be fun too.

Children are once again looking forward to gunpowder, treason and plot - but the messages about the dangers of fireworks are beginning to get through.

Why do young people break the law and what happens when they are caught? Children and teenagers say boredom and peer pressure have a lot to do with it.

Growing up with brothers and sisters can lead to fights - but children wouldn't be without them.

Children express wildly different views of what causes bullies to behave the way they do - and what should be done with them.

As the BBC's Children
in Need Appeal kicks off today, Children's Express reporters ask young
people in Newcastle what they will be doing to help and where they think
the money will be going.

The Government set up the Children and Young People's Unit to listen to young people's views. What do children and young people consulted by the department think?

Children love their pets - and can't understand why people would buy them thoughtlessly and then be cruel to them.

Few children escape school without a detention or two - and there aren't many who think it's a fair or effective punishment either.

A 10 year-old girl has become the youngest in the UK to die of a suspected ecstasy overdose. What do young people think of when they hear the word 'drugs'?

The Easter holidays give young people a welcome break from school. But how do they spend their free time, and what do they think of Easter eggs?

What do UK schoolchildren think about the pressures of exams and how nervous do they get waiting for results?

Goths, hippies.... Children's Express reporters ask young people about what they wear and what it says about them.

They say you can choose your friends and not your family. But what do young people think about this saying?

Children consider what it takes to put a smile on their face - or a frown.

Is it wrong to leave children at home alone? What would they do in an emergency? Children's Express reporters find out.

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but schoolgirls say gold, silver and pearls are just as good!

Why did the chicken cross the road? Children's Express reporters find out what makes young people laugh.

Children start planning their careers early - soldier, firemen, vet - but ending up jobless is a worry.

Too much noise and rubbish, too few places to play. Young people from Newcastle's Cowgate estate tell Children's Express reporters what they think of their area and what changes they would make, if they could.

Mothers are nice, kind, old and helpful - even if they tell us off a lot.

What would a life without music be like? Young people say what music means to them.

The arrival of 'street wardens' to patrol a troubled housing estate in Newcastle upon Tyne meets with a mixed reaction from its younger residents.

Children in Newcastle find getting to school by bus is an unreliable and expensive business.

Young people tell Children's Express reporters how they think life has changed in the twelve months since terrorists brought down the World Trade Centre.

Children and teenagers discuss their wide and varied musical tastes.