Big Society's Big Mouth : Onyere Kene's discussions

I get really concerned to know that we are breeding a generation of young people who are so used to 'watching' and not 'reading'. The Tv set Pc/laptops, computer games, cinema is already the average young person's life routine. So many young people I come across are ignorant of what goes on in the news, harldy read newspapers/magazines and are never really into reading books that will expand their... Read more

I get really concerned to know that we are breeding a generation of young people who are so used to 'watching' and not 'reading'. The Tv set Pc/laptops, computer games, cinema is already the average young person's life routine. So many young people I come across are ignorant of what goes on in the news, harldy read newspapers/magazines and are never really into reading books that will expand their knowledge. I keep hearing the phrase: people get so easily bored with reading (particularly young people), and that pictures have a way of capturing people's attentions. While I agree with the latter, the former is definitely a misguided and stereotypical statement to make.
A large proportion of young people; particulary in the Western society we live in can spend the whole day playing video games or spend valuable time on social networking sites: particulary Facebook and hardly ever enhance their general knowledge and intellect with important subjects such as history, current affairs, politics and science.

It is so crucial to educate our young people on the importance of being intellectually aware of the society around them. Knowing what goes on around the world on a regularly basis is vital to them knowing how the world works so that they can be confident wherever they go and fit into whichever society they find themselves in.

The reading campaign started by the Evening Standard is a good step in ensuring that young people are not so consumed by media technology and are well rounded individuals in terms of how they live their lives spend their time.

Common questions which a lot of young people will fail to answer as a result of ignorance and lack of interest in the society they live in include:

1. What is the Queen's full name?
Answer: Elizabeth Alexandria Mary Windsor

2. Who is the UN secretary general
Answer: Ban Ki Moon

3. The name of the current pope
Answer: Pope Benedict xvi (the sixteenth)

4. What is the worlds most popular book (all-time bestseller)
Answer: The Bible

5. The world's biggest country in terms of land mass
Answer: Canada

6. Which nation in Africa is the most populous
Answer: Nigeria; with over a 150million people

7. Which country is the highest producer/supplier of oil
Answer: Saudi Arabia

8. The only country in Africa not to be colonised by a major European power/country
Answer: Ethiopia

9. Which ancient languages is the modern English language derived from?
Answer: Latin, and old French (Norman language)

10. Who built the famous wall that clearly seperated England from the Scottish land?
Answer: The Roman Emperor Hadrian

11. What is the name of the building that is the American government headquarters for military, intelligence, and security affairs?
Answer: The Pentagon

12. What does the F.B.I stand for?
Answer: Federal Bereau of Investigation

13. In the Arab Muslim world, what is the two main islamic sects?
Answer: Shia and Sunni

14. Which modern day European country used to be referred to as the Ottoman Empire?
Answer: Turkey

15. Alexander the great was from which modern day European country located in the meditteranean?
Answer: Macedonia Read less

almost 2 years ago

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Lydia Phillips

I completely agree, so many people at my school would never choose to read simply for the sake of reading and a lot of them probably couldn't tell you who England's prime minister is. Another issue with the lack of reading is that it's effecting teenagers' basic communication skills, something that really needs to be sorted out.

almost 2 years ago
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Emily Willson

I think that many people don't read as much as they perhaps should do, well not 'proper' books anyway. But some people would argue that despite maybe never actually picking up a book to read they are still able to develop their knowlege of the world through the use of social networking delevering them news as it happens, or the use of such things as Online Newspapers/Magazines or Kindles which enable... Read more

almost 2 years ago
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Laura Hepburn

Only part of Turkey is in Europe. Most of it is Asia Minor, called the Anatolian peninsula.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey

almost 2 years ago
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Onyere Kene

Thanks Laura: I know that already.. However I am talking more in terms of their political and economic stance. They stand more with the EU than the Arab League.

almost 2 years ago
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Kathy Marshall

I don't think it really matters if no one knows the Queen's middle names.

over 1 year ago
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Fidel Frimpong on youth employment guest blog startup britain

From a young age I was always involved with gangs. Not only this, I would also get suspended from school frequently, have trivial fights with friends and teachers and also cause unnecessary trouble. I was a troublesome child up until my parents could take it no longer – from here I was sent to Ghana to Boarding School to be away from the influences of my peers. Whilst here I had an epiphany; I learnt... Read more

about 2 years ago

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Fiddy Frim

find me on twitter @MrHandsOn1 !

almost 2 years ago
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Onyere Kene

Wow.. Fidel. I am deeply moved by your testimony. You have certainly found the right path..Please do all you can to hold on to God and make sure you aim for the best in life. Never for one moment limit yourself. You must always see yourself the way God sees you. I work at v as a team administrator and I was happy when I saw your testimony here on the big society's big mouth website. It will be good... Read more

almost 2 years ago
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Ruth Hennell

Isn't it great to be motivated to do things! I met a guy last week who is super-motivated to get into the music agency, he says when someone says something is impossible then for him it is a challenge! I am sure both of you guys will be successful with an attitude like that! (will follow you on twitter am @TheRehn)

almost 2 years ago
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Onyere Kene on parliamentary outreach

A parliamentary outreach event was hosted by v on the 23rd of May 2011 at Parliament Street, London. This was made possible via the v initiative: ‘Big Society’s Big Mouth’ campaign to enlighten young people about the roles and functions of the parliament in our country.
The outreach was attended by several young people from different parts of the country. Some came from Newcastle, others from Leicester... Read more

A parliamentary outreach event was hosted by v on the 23rd of May 2011 at Parliament Street, London. This was made possible via the v initiative: ‘Big Society’s Big Mouth’ campaign to enlighten young people about the roles and functions of the parliament in our country.
The outreach was attended by several young people from different parts of the country. Some came from Newcastle, others from Leicester, Kent, and some within London, and it included mainly 16-25 yr. olds with interest in the political process of the country.
The day kicked-off with a presentation from Hannah Roberts: a House of Commons officer; talking about what constitutes the UK parliament, how it works, the roles of the two houses (House of Commons and House of Lords), and the role of the monarchy in daily parliamentary activity. The session was very interactive as several people in the room had various questions to ask, which was concisely answered by Mrs Roberts. There was a break-out session where everyone was put in four groups consisting of about 5 people. This was done so each group could carry out the activity given to them after the presentation effectively. Each group was asked to list the different stages it takes for a bill to become law after it has gone through both Houses of Commons and Lords. They were given cards with every bill stage written on them and were told to arrange them in order of relevance.
Free lunch was provided after the morning session. This time also made it possible for everyone to mingle with each other and get to connect well as most of the young people who attended and were in the activity groups were meeting each other for the first time.
The afternoon session saw a presentation from Tracey Herald and Kate Oldroyd: staff members from v about campaign tools and techniques young people can employ in influencing government’s parliamentary decisions. This also led to another group activity where each group was asked to pick a topic that is affecting young people in our nation today, and show how they would campaign to make a change in that sector. Each group was numbered from 1-4, and group one came up with a very interesting topic about ‘making provisions for young people to be politically aware in the society and encouraging them to get more involved in politics’. The campaign here was to make politics a compulsory subject in secondary schools just as Maths and English. The tool they came up with is to gather government support into passing a law which will make politics a compulsory subject. The reasons they gave for their proposition was that it is important for young people to take up interest in politics because whatever decisions the government makes will affect them directly or indirectly. Other people from other groups argued that politics is already compulsory in secondary schools but that it is under the guise of citizenship education. However the point that was driven home by group one was that politics should be treated with the level of relevance that Maths and English enjoys if more young people are to become actively involved and aware of affairs that concerns the government.
The day finished with a group photograph and each participant in the event was given a certificate for attending and a gift pack to take home.
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almost 2 years ago

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Lusiné Manukyan

This is a very good description of what happened on that day! I absolutely loved the event! Learnt loads about parliament and about new tools of campaigning (particularly how we can influence the government through small/big actions). So thanks a lot for a fantastic day :D

almost 2 years ago
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Lusiné Manukyan

P.S. Love the pic!

almost 2 years ago
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Myriam Roberts

brilliant article and love the picture of us all by the way!

almost 2 years ago
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belinda Fumai

Hey, great article, we sure had an amazing day!

almost 2 years ago
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Onyere Kene

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Lydia Phillips

Emily Willson

Laura Hepburn

Onyere Kene

Kathy Marshall

Fiddy Frim

Onyere Kene

Ruth Hennell

Lusiné Manukyan

Lusiné Manukyan

Myriam Roberts

belinda Fumai

That's a real shame!

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