Programme launches to encourage young people to shape city 's legacy

Common Purpose have launched the Legacy programme, Birmingham150, with the purpose of helping young people shape Birmingham 's future by challenging them to think through what their generation 's legacy will be.

Legacy is a global campaign by Common Purpose that invests in young people across the world so they can become a connected generation of leaders.

Common Purpose is delivering the Legacy programme, for young people between 18-25 living, working, not working, or studying in Birmingham.

In this powerful online programme, participants will work together to tackle a 'green ' challenge for the city. Given the annual UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Glasgow later this year, all UK Legacy programmes have a green challenge at their heart.

Legacy programme participants will investigate the issues, collaborate, question and have difficult conversations. Then they will generate new ideas to be tested, refined and presented to senior leaders.

Louise Teboul (pictured), operations director for Common Purpose UK said: “Our Legacy programmes pre-dated the pandemic but they are coming into their own now, given how important it is that we invest in young people after the year they 've had - in terms of the damage to their education, employment prospects and social lives.

“Equally, we need to involve young people in shaping the recovery plans for the future of their communities and to let them know that their perspectives are valued and their voices are heard. We all need to create opportunities to support young people, to hear their big ideas and long-term thinking. ”

The programme is made possible by the generous support of Aston University, RSM, Wesleyan, National Zakat Foundation and Birmingham Children 's Trust.

Mark Smith, executive director of Business Engagement at the university said: “Aston University is very proud to support the Birmingham150 Legacy programme. The programme perfectly aligns with the University 's core values of community engagement, collaboration, leadership and providing opportunities for professional development.

“As the world looks to create a positive future beyond the global pandemic, we believe young people are key to delivering this vision through leadership and innovation. This programme is essential to their development and provides a real and necessary boost to their education, employment and social lives. ”

Mark Taylor, Region & Birmingham office managing partner of RSM said: “RSM are delighted to extend our involvement with the Legacy Programme to Birmingham. This is a terrific initiative to engage and enthuse future leaders in the key challenges of our time and we are proud to support it. ”

Andy Couldrick, CEO of Birmingham Children 's Trust commented: “We are delighted to work with Common Purpose, a great community leadership organisation, and to support this Legacy programme for our young people focused on a 'clean and green ' challenge for Birmingham. We know our young people are concerned and mobilised to act to tackle climate change and to improve our city, and this is a great contribution to that community effort and endeavour. ”

Birmingham150 takes place over four days, from 11-12 to 15-16 November.

Young people aged between 18-25 living, working, not working, caring, volunteering or studying in Birmingham can apply at: https://commonpurpose.org/birmingham150/.