With only one week until the deadline, now is the last chance to participate in this year’s National Youth Parliament Competition and National Political Journalism Competition, organised by the Citizenship Foundation. Open to teams of students aged 11-18, the competitions use active learning techniques to explore specific political issues. They offer a practical way to deliver key elements of the citizenship curriculum at key stage 3 and 4.

The National Youth Parliament Competition brings government and political processes to life for groups of 20 students or more. With the classroom set up like the House of Commons, the students take on the roles of the government, opposition, and backbench MPs to debate a mock bill. The Right Honourable Pupils create a twenty minute video which is judged by a panel of MPs.

The National Political Journalism Competition invites small teams or individuals to act as media professionals and create real news pieces. The budding journalists tackle a local, national or international political issue of their choice, and produce a newspaper article, TV or radio package. The entries are judged by high profile political journalists.

Digital video cameras, and recording equipment are up for grabs for winning teams and prizes are presented at receptions in Westminster, Holyrood and Downing Street. All application forms must be completed by 15th December. To register for either competition download the appropriate form at www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk. For more information contact the Citizenship Foundation on 0207 5664131, or email  NYPC@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk.

About the Citizenship Foundation:
The Citizenship Foundation is an independent charity (no. 801360) which aims to empower individuals to engage in the wider community through education about the law, democracy and society. Founded in 1989, we focus particularly on developing young people’s citizenship skills, knowledge and understanding. www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk

Our work includes:
• A comprehensive range of citizenship resources for a wide audience from teachers to young offenders.
• Nationwide and international training programmes.
• National active learning projects for secondary schools.
• Community projects to develop citizenship education as a collective responsibility.
• Research to advance our understanding of best practice in citizenship education.