Foreword


Over the past twelve years, the journey of the Youth Charter has been both a challenge and an opportunity highlighting the role of sport in the lives of young people as a social vehicle of change.


The Youth Charter has innovated, developed and inspired much locally, nationally and internationally. Locally the Youth Charter’s philosophy, mission and objectives have been delivered with programmes and projects reflecting disaffected and disadvantaged young people and communities and the positive role that sporting and cultural activity can play.


Many of the intervention and diversionary projects and programmes developed by the Youth Charter have now inspired policy nationally. Many government agencies have initiated guidelines resulting from the Youth Charter’s efforts to place sport on the government agenda in its delivery of wider social policy.


Internationally, the Youth Charter has presented as part of Britain’s ongoing bidding and hosting of major events a similar approach advocating, campaigning, presenting and delivering in over 30 countries on all five continents the principles and role of Olympism and the Commonwealth Games as continued vehicles of social and cultural cohesion.


Of significant note has been the Youth Charter’s work within the United Nations. Over the last nine years, the Youth Charter’s efforts from the youth cultural exchange of the U.N. Criminal Tribunal in the Hague visit, its lobbying at U.N. HQ in New York, its contribution and co-facilitation at U.N. hosted conferences and presentations of its work and programme delivery with U.N. ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF and UN Aid. This is testimony to the remarkable efforts of an agency that, in the main exists on the voluntary efforts of many.


The symbol of the Youth Charter has been its scroll, signed by over 500 sportsmen and women in support of our philosophy, mission, objectives and belief that sports achievers, who mostly come from socially and economically deprived backgrounds, can act as a catalyst in realising as well as mobilising efforts for and on behalf of disadvantaged and disaffected young people and communities throughout the world.


As in all efforts of this kind the Youth Charter has experienced significant challenges, hurdles and barriers. As Chair of Trustees I have witnessed the Agency’s birth. As a former competitor, IOC Member and sporting citizen, I have followed the Charter’s progress from the streets of Moss Side, Los Angeles and Johannesburg and the U.N. Criminal Tribunal at The Hague, I have witnessed first hand the extraordinary efforts of this Agency that has given opportunity through tragedy.


With London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics, the Youth Charter has presented proposals that would benefit not only that of the East End of London which developed the drive, enthusiasm and determination of the man who founded this remarkable effort, but as a legacy and benefit of youth inclusion and regeneration identified by the bid and now local organising committee - a true opportunity for our youth now presents itself.


Dame Mary Glen Haig DBE Chair of Trustees Honorary IOC Member


From Tragedy to Opportunity...


The Youth Charter was born out of the social deprivation, alienation, disaffection, anti social and gang related activity that led to the death of 14 year old school boy Benji Stanley in January 1993. Benji’s death sparked a local, regional and national debate on the social causes, effects and impact of social deprivation and it’s consequences. What had not been considered was how the then Olympic bidding process was going to offset the unwanted publicity of a city likened to ‘L.A. or Beirut!’ in the Sunday Times.


As a member of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid Ambassadorial team, I went back on the streets to see if I could recreate an opportunity for young people, not dissimilar to my own experiences, of social and cultural exclusion given an opportunity of sport, recreation and leisure activity. Throughout my journey from street to stadium, track suit to lounge suit, I was to serve in public life and utilise my personal experience to benefit others. With 50 young people from the south and 50 young people from the north at the home of football, Wembley, the Youth Charter was born with over 300 signatories from all walks of life, signing up to the mission to ‘provide young people with an opportunity through Sport, to develop in life…’


With the Olympic rings as the unifying power of sport to transcend social and cultural barriers of religion, race, culture and national boundaries, the Youth Charter scroll representing the ‘royal family of sport’ (British Olympic Association, Central Council of Physical Recreation, Sport England the then GB Sports Council and Sports Aid Foundation) was used to provide an all important link with the wider social interest groups identified in the education, health, social order and environmental needs of the young people and communities I was trying to assist. In addition to this the British Urban Regeneration Association, Business for Sport and Leisure, Business in the Community and the Metropolitan Police formed part of the initial partnership network that was to develop the first true “multi agency collaboration.” As a result, with other Government, public/private sector input and contribution, this collective effort was able to build an Agoraspace, a multi sport area at the Procter Youth Centre at a time when many young lives were being lost.


The Agoraspace represented the effort of over 20 agencies, helped establish a social and cultural trust and confidence in a community confused in its identity, build self-esteem and capacity to have the rights and responsibilities to manage their lives and the lives of their community. Again, this multi agency effort was to provide an historic opportunity for 17 young people with the ‘Spirit of the Streets Tour of Los Angeles’. The young people, who returned with UN and IOC citations, brought back ideas and a commitment to make a real difference recognising the fact that the Charter would need to globalise its vision with local relevance. To see them many years on, contributing positively and in their own way to both themselves and their communities is a testament to the fact that not only can young people achieve great things if given a chance, the spirit of their efforts can have a truly lasting impact.


Since that time, the Charter’s philosophy, mission, aims and objectives have been reflected in a number of ways, with respective Governments now beginning to recognise the role of sport in its broadest social and cultural definition as a social vehicle of change. This report marks the beginning of a journey of the past that presents a contribution within the present social and cultural role that sport, arts and cultural activity can play in the future.


As we approach the 2012 Olympic Games, the proposals based on ‘real life experiences’, successes and failures can make a significant contribution to youth inclusion, regeneration and communities. This report pays tribute to the forgotten lives lost and in particular the memory of Benji Stanley who, through tragedy provided opportunity for young people locally, nationally and internationally.


Geoff Thompson MBE, ILAM Hons, FRSA Executive Chairman


Agoraspace Multi Sport area at Procter Youth Centre, Hulme, Manchester


“If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know who you are.”


MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA page 4 page 5


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