Beaconhurst pupil Nathan Gibson, 17, from Bridge of Allan talks about being picked for Generation 2014 – an innovative BBC youth project which is giving teenagers a voice in the debate about Scottish independence and the forthcoming referendum …..
“When my English teacher Sandra Bannerman told our class about a BBC youth project aimed at helping shape the debate on Scottish independence, I thought it sounded like an interesting opportunity.
The BBC were looking for 50 Scottish teenagers, who would all be eligible to vote in September’s referendum, to join a panel called Generation 2014 and give their opinions about Scotland’s future during the run-up to the vote.
I was keen to have the chance to represent the views of my generation in such an historic event which will shape the future of both Scotland and the UK. I thought it was particularly important to get involved because it’s young people like us who will live with the consequences of the referendum decision.
To have a chance of being picked for Generation 2014, I had to fill in an application form online before being invited to the BBC studios in Edinburgh along with other applicants. We took part in a group discussion before being interviewed individually on camera by BBC producers.
This was quite
nerve-wracking as I’d never been in front of a camera before but I got through it OK and received an email a few days later to say I’d been chosen for the panel.
The first thing we did was attend a Generation 2014 launch event at BBC Scotland’s Glasgow headquarters. This included a debate about young people and politics. It was good to
34
meet the other members of the panel and since then, we’ve been involved in various different activities. I’ve written a blog about what I would do if I were First Minister for the day which has been published online.
And I was recently filmed at Beaconhurst by the BBC asking a question ‘whether Scotland would be better to share existing UK armed forces with NATO or form an independent `Scottish Defence Force’ in the event of independence?’
The BBC asked Scotland’s
four main parties to answer my question and I was filmed giving my reaction to those responses.
Being involved with Generation 2014 is proving very interesting and I think it’s a good idea to create a picture of what people my age are thinking about since we’ll be voting for the first time.
I’ve already decided I will vote No in the referendum. At first it was just a gut feeling, but as time has gone on and I’ve listened to all the debate about independence on the news I know it’s definitely the right decision for me. Some of my fellow panel members have also decided to vote No while others are pro- independence and some remain undecided.
Whatever people decide to vote, however, the project gives us a chance to show we are interested in the independence debate and we want to get involved.
I’m looking forward
to doing more with Generation 2014 in the coming months as the independence debate heats up and we head towards referendum day.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
I’m just delighted I’m able to benefit from this opportunity which is proving to be a great learning experience for all of us members of Generation 2014.” By Nathan Gibson, S6, Beaconhurst School.
School Jotters
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101