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| Youth Panellist Tom Youngman (second from right) participating in a discussion led by fellow panellist and event facilitator Luke Hughes (obscured, left). (View original on Flickr) |
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| Youth Panellist John Northall, one of the event's facilitators. (View original on Flickr) |
IBM, in conjunction with Prince Charles' charity, 'Start', held the 'Start Summit' - a nine day program of events for leaders in business, finance and energy, as well for young people. The fifth day of the conference was entitled 'Start Young', and brought together ninety young people from across the country not only to hear from influential figures such as Stephen Leonard, Chairman of IBM UK and Ireland and James Caan, venture capitalist and star of the BBC's 'Dragon's Den', but to have their ideas listened to and raised in front of senior representatives from business and government on the final day of the summit. The event took place in luxurious surroundings at Lancaster House, twice the host of G7 summits and the location at which Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia)'s independence from the UK was agreed.
Unsurprisingly several Youth Advisory Panel members were invited to attend this event - although in reality more panelists were enlisted to help facilitate the day than just attend. Although the event was fairly corporate, it provided a good model for a successful way to draw together many young people to discuss the issues that matter. It succeeded powerfully in giving young people an opportunity to question those with influence in business, and was also a great signal that the business world is waking up to how huge an issue sustainability is. Let's hope this results in tangible action.
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