Category: 91Èȱ¬
Date: 23.11.2005
Printable version
The 91Èȱ¬, in partnership with the Charity Commission, hosted the first Citizenship Conference at Congress House, Central London.
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The conference, chaired by David Dimbleby, explored how audiences can use the 91Èȱ¬ to inform themselves about citizenship issues and volunteering, how the 91Èȱ¬ could help sustain their interest and provided a platform for ideas for programmes, projects and partnerships with the voluntary and charitable sectors.
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Speakers at the conference included Mark Byford, Deputy Director-General of the 91Èȱ¬; Matthew Taylor, Chief Adviser on Political Strategy at 10 Downing Street; Geraldine Peacock, Chair of the Charity Commission; Kevin Marsh, Editor of the Today programme; John Lloyd, contributing editor of the Financial Times; Heather Rabbatts, Head of Education at Channel 4; and Alistair Burt MP, Shadow Minister for Communities and Regeneration.
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Andy Griffee, Controller of 91Èȱ¬ English Regions, was so impressed by some of the ideas and debate generated that he announced two pilot commissions to run in the West Midlands local TV area based on a 'playground to playground' scheme where schools could link up with each other; and an inter-generational 'digital heirloom' idea.
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He said: "It was fascinating to see such great creative ideas come about from the conversations between our guests and 91Èȱ¬ staff. It truly felt like partnership in action."
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The conference, on Monday 21 November, also saw the presentation of the first ever 91Èȱ¬ Active Award to the WW2 People's War website.
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The award recognised programmes and projects that encouraged viewers and listeners to be more active citizens.
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The shortlist also included the Schools edition of 91Èȱ¬ ONE's Question Time; the World Class schools partnership programme; and the DoNation season.
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Helen Boaden, Director 91Èȱ¬ News and Conference Host, said: "The Conference was a great example of the 91Èȱ¬ working in partnership with other organisations such as the Charity Commission, and providing a valuable platform for debate and the exchange of ideas amongst representatives from across the voluntary and non-profit sector."
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Michael Hastings, Head of the 91Èȱ¬'s Corporate and Social Responsibility Unit, said: "In Building Public Value, the 91Èȱ¬ said it would offer everyone a democratic voice and a means of contributing to the national debate as well as creating opportunities for people to become active citizens.
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"This conference is just one of the initiatives the Corporate and Social Responsibility Unit provides to help the 91Èȱ¬ be a responsible corporate citizen itself - acting in the public interest to strengthen and enrich communities across the UK and internationally."
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Geraldine Peacock, Chairman of the Charity Commission, said: "The day showed in reality the important role that institutions like the 91Èȱ¬ and the Charity Commission play.
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"They are both catalysts which provide communications and connections to promote grass-roots involvement, which helps make our communities better places to live.
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"Quite rightly, people both as 91Èȱ¬ licence fee payers and supporters of charities feel they have a right to help set the agenda and I'm excited to see some of the very imaginative developments this conference has already produced."
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The 91Èȱ¬'s Corporate and Social Responsibility Unit was established in 2003 to oversee the 91Èȱ¬: 'living our values with integrity and ethical consistency towards our own people, our audiences, our business suppliers and the communities in which we operate'.
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Notes to Editors
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For more information about the conference, citizenship, volunteering or to offer views then visit bbc.co.uk/citizenship.
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91Èȱ¬ Press Office
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