Diversity Programme educates young minds of the importance of the institutions of state and voting in the general elections
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Date: Thursday 26th March 2015
Venues: Clarence House, St James’s Palace, Royal Over-Seas League Club, 10 Downing Street, Parliament, House of Lords and Speakers House
Sessions with:
Jamie Bowden, HRH Prince of Wales Deputy Private Secretary: The Role of the Monarchy in the 21st Century
Hitan Mehta, Executive Director of HRH Prince of Wales’s Charity British Asian Trust: What is like to be the most senior ethnic minority working for HRH Prince of Wales
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson: Importance of voting and the General Elections
Mr Speaker Rt Hon John Bercow MP: Role of Mr Speaker and Parliament
Last year the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP launched the Naz Legacy Foundation Diversity Programme at the National Portrait Gallery. The diversity programme, supported by Deputy Prime Minister’s office, Mosaic, a mentoring initiative founded by HRH The Prince of Wales and the Times Education Supplement, encourages young people from deprived and minority communities to visit a cultural institutions for the first time and learn about the rich heritage of diverse role models in Britain.
On his experience of the day, the Deputy Prime Minister commented:
‘One of my favourite moments of the last 5 years as Deputy Prime Minister was launching the Naz Legacy Diversity Programme. The Diversity Programme does fantastic work and inspires us precisely because it shows how we can enrich the lives of Britain’s children. In doing it helps build a fairer society and in which every child can realise their aspirations, irrespective of their background. The message of this year’s Diversity Programme is hugely important, and I hope it is heard across the political spectrum. The Naz Legacy Foundation doesn’t just understand what kind of change is needed but is making it happen – and that is why it has my wholehearted support.’
During the day 70 students from 6 schools from deprived communities:
Visited Clarence House and were treated with Duchy drinks and biscuits. Each student was presented with a pack about The Prince of Wales and picture postcards of the Princes including Prince George
Talk and Q&A session with Jamie Bowden – Deputy Private Secretary for HRH The Prince of Wales about Royal Duties and The Role of the Monarchy in the 21st Century
Tour of the State Apartments, St James’s Palace including the Throne Room
Packed lunch at the Royal Over-Seas League Club
Talk and Q&A session with Hitan Mehta, Executive Director of HRH Prince of Wales’s Charity British Asian Trust about his role as the most senior ethnic minority working for HRH Prince of Wales
Visit to Number 10 Downing Street with picture taken outside the famous black doors
Personal tour of Parliament by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Talk and Q&A session with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson in the House of Lords about importance of voting and the General Elections
Witnessing the end precession of the final sitting of the House of Commons before the general elections with Black Rod and Mr Speaker
Tour of Speakers House
Talk and Q&A session with Mr Speaker Rt Hon John Bercow MP at Speakers’ House about the role of Mr Speaker and Parliament
Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, Secretary of State for Education said:
‘At this General Election it’s crucial that young people make their voice heard. That’s why I’m delighted that the Naz Legacy Diversity Programme, set up in memory of the inspirational educator Naz Bokhari, is focusing its efforts on educating young students, many of whom live in some of our most deprived communities, about the importance of taking part in the democratic process, making their voice heard and voting in the next general election’
Mr Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow MP said:
‘It was an honour to welcome the fantastic students from the Naz Legacy Diversity Programme to the mother of all parliaments and to my home, Speaker’s House. It has never been a more important time for young people to engage in politics. The Naz Legacy Foundation’s Diversity Programme is playing a vital role in educating students about the importance of the our democracy and the need for everyone to exercise their right to vote.’
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said:
‘Congratulations again to the fantastic Naz Legacy Foundation on its Diversity Programme. Last year, it inspired many young Londoners with visits to the best museums and galleries the capital has to offer. This year, it enthused young people about the importance of political participation in the heart of democracy, Westminster. I am sure it was be an amazing day and I would like to thank the Foundation for its important work it does for young people in London.’
Jonathan Freeman, Managing Director of Mosaic, says:
‘Mosaic is delighted to be partnering with the Naz Legacy Foundation to offer such a life-changing opportunity to our young people. The Diversity Programme enables our students to take the mentoring they have received to the next level, by realising that each and every one of them can fulfil their potential to make a difference at the highest levels of our country.’
Hina Bokhari, daughter of the late Naz Bokhari adds:
‘There has never been a more important time to educate young people from challenging backgrounds about the importance of the State and voting in the General Elections.’
