Candidates for the Redbridge Youth Election 2012 met to unveil their key manifesto pledges in a bid to secure votes on Monday night, when the Election was declared officially open.
The Youth Election was launched at Redbridge Town Hall by Cllr Alan Weinberg, Cabinet Member for Children's Services in the presence of the candidates, last year's Redbridge Youth Members of Parliament, Redbridge Youth Council Members and Cllr Ian Bond, Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council.
The 14 candidates from 12 different schools were chosen from a total of 56 nominations and took it in turns to address their peers about what they hope to achieve in the coming year should they be voted in as one of Redbridge's Members of the Youth Parliament.
Among their manifesto pledges were; creating more youth activities, maximising the opportunities around the Olympics, tackling littering and fly-tipping, improving relations between young people and the Police, improving help for students with learning difficulties and increasing work experience opportunities.
Cllr Weinberg, who has been working closely with this year's crop of budding young politicians to give them tips on how to conduct themselves within the political arena and to hone their presentation skills, commended all of the candidates on their speeches and referenced the high calibre of candidates this year.
He said, "I'm so impressed with what I've seen tonight. There are some key themes emerging from your manifestos about the importance of work experience and career advice as well as the safety of young people and I have taken these on board. I think over the past year as a Council we have proved we have listened to what the Youth Council and Youth MYPs have been saying and we will continue to do this."
He added, "It's now up to you to get out there in your schools and youth clubs and to encourage your peers to take part in the democratic process and vote. You need to convince people that their vote does make a difference. It is so important for young people, who are our future, to have their say."
The Election, which runs in the Borough until Thursday 9 February, will return two Redbridge Members of Youth Parliament and two deputies. The Youth MPs will be responsible for finding out what other young people want in the Borough and campaigning on their behalf.
During the launch, the audience heard from one of the current Redbridge Youth MPs, Sophia Hoondle, who spoke about her experiences over the past year.
Sophia was also present to launch the Work Experience Report which was produced by the Redbridge Youth Council after they recognised it as an important issue which is currently affecting young people.
Last year the Youth Council members researched and interviewed politicians and officers in relation to the changing policy on student work experience. This resulted in a report and a video which will both be presented to the Youth Parliament.
Sophia said, "As a Youth Council we believe that work experience allows young people to gain new skills that can be used outside of education. It is also a key opportunity for young people to explore different work environments and organisations without a long term commitment. At the same time this provides them with invaluable networking opportunities, helps them improve their CV and offers them good employer references.
"Therefore we feel campaigning to increase work experience is vital and that's why we chose it as our campaign."
Speaking about her time as a MYP, Sophia said, "My term as youth MP has been incredible, I have gained so many new skills and honed others, confidence in public speaking being the key. I have met so many new people and made amazing connections. I endeavoured to create a positive feeling in Redbridge but ultimately I endeavoured to give back to the Borough which has served me so well. It's been a priceless experience."
Anyone aged between 11 and 18 who lives or goes to school in the Borough or who attends Redbridge College can vote.
You can view the candidates' manifestos here.