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Umar Kankiya has been involved with politics ever since he helped set up the Newham Youth Parliament in 1999 Since then he's progressed through the ranks from Youth MP for Newham in 2001 to the his recent status of UK Youth parliament London regional coordinator.

Umar says, "It wasn't more the politics element I think it was more the youth participation element for me that made me want to get involved."

The target participants are those aged between 11 and 18 years old. The main aim is to give a voice to the young people - find out what it is that's affecting them, and then going to the politicians and policy makers to get things changed.

This year the members of the Youth Parliament have focused on 3 issues that they feel need to be addressed by those in government. Gun and knife related crime is top of the agenda, closely followed by youth provision and Sexual health education. So passionate are they about these subjects that the UKYP is hosting a conference day on February 21 2008 at the legendary Ministry of Sound in Southwark.

"The whole purpose of the event is to bring young people from all over London...to come and discuss the issue of anti gun and knife crime." The event is set to be more than your standard seminar with entertainment and workshops to encourage discussion.

Umar feels that it's important to engage as many young people from different backgrounds as possible. With the next round of Youth Parliament elections fast approaching across all the London boroughs Umar wants every young person to know the political process is open to them. "It's all about young people coming down, making sure their voices are heard and making sure that we actually make a real difference and a real change to other young people in London."

To hear more from Umar watch the video above.
To find out more about the UKYP and the forthcoming elecetions go to www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk