CONSULTATION WITH CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE, 2009

In March 2009, the ESD Network asked 169 children & young people from 14 schools and groups their opinions about Sustainability. Here's what the results showed...

Who took part in this Consultation?

169 children & young people were involved in the Consultation - from 14 different groups. There were groups from schools, youth groups and voluntary groups. Ages ranged from primary age (6+) to 24. Some participants were involved in a school or group during the school day, but others were involved in their spare time.
The groups were broadly representative of all parts of the borough. Groups represented areas with a range of deprivation profiles. There were groups that represented the various ethnic and cultural groups within Bolton.

What did they tell us about Sustainability?

They had a strong knowledge of Sustainability issues!
They identified the following areas that they felt they understood/took personal action on: Purchasing & Waste (Identified by 48%); Energy & Water (26%); Travel & Traffic (19%); Nature Protection (7%)
 
The term Sustainability wasn't one that they would usually use! But here some of the explanations that they used: "Protecting for future generations", "Leaving enough resources for the future", "Being Green"
 
First thoughts about Sustainability: Almost ½ (48%) thought it was about what we buy, use and get rid of.
Lots already take action to recycle/reuse stuff - and mentioned more than 170 actions that they took (everything from reusing plastic bags when shopping to buying 2nd hand clothes)...

What did they say would improve Sustainability in Bolton?

They had some clear ideas for how Bolton's Sustainability could be improved. Some of the most popular were about reducing litter, walking & cycling more and being more energy efficient.
Here are some of their more specific comments:
"More drinking fountains around school - save people buying bottles all the time"
"Have solar panels on all school roofs"
"School should have automatic wash & soap dispensers to save water"
"Roof gardens"
"School should have vegetable and fruit plots - healthy and organic. These could be used in lessons"
"Ban polystyrene plates from canteen"

How did they judge their own schools/groups?

They thought their schools and groupds did well on Food & Drink issues, Inclusion & Participation, Purchasing & Waste and Global issues.
They were very clear about what they should do better! They told us that their schools etc. weren't doing enough to improve on Energy & Water use, Travel & Traffic and Local Wellbeing.
They gave lots of practical ways to make this happen, including: building more bike facilities, using energy sensors and low energy equipment, reducing packaging, creating more green growing spaces, setting up Fairtrade selling points in schools and giving young people more responsibility for making these things happen!

What did they think the ESD Network should concentrate on?

They told us that the ESD Network needs to keep up its big events where lots of schools and groups get together. They ranked the then current priorities of the Network and suggested these were the most important:
A Greater Manchester event for all 10 local authoriries, and bringing ideas back to Bolton;
A Bolton-wide Sustainable Schools day which 25 schools attended;
A Go Bananas Event on Fairtrade in schools
 
They also thought these consultations were a great idea - and we should do more of them!
 
UPDATE:
Since this Consultation, members of the ESD Network have begun planning workshops/schemes on 3 of the areas that the children & young people said were weak in their schools/groups. In the next few months, pilot schemes will be offered to schools and groups on Energy & Water, Travel & Traffic and Local Wellbeing.
 
The results of this Consultation will be shared with as many interested people as possible. For example, the Youth MPs met Steve Harrold to discuss the findings and this was presented to the Cleaner Greener Forum.
 
The young people's desire to be consulted and be active in the solutions will also be a priority for the ESD Network. Developments will be announced on the website and/or on the ESD Network mailings. Watch this space!