Journalist and filmmaker Billie JD Porter (BBC3, Channel 4, Vice) and ThinkNation invite you to an urgent summit addressing the state of political engagement across the UK.

It is a critical time for people across the UK, and on June 8, a decision will be made by all those who choose to vote. The third major vote in two years, constituents across all generations are said to already be 'fatigued' by the prospect of once again returning to the polling booth, but young people's future remains at stake.

The event will be opened with the screening of “USE YOUR VOICE” - a short film that explores political disenfranchisement of the younger generation.

The film will be followed by a series of short interviews live on stage with Summit host Billie, mixed with talks and audience discussions with thought leaders across media, education, politics. Crucially, young people will be speaking on behalf of themselves.

Our agenda is not to sway people’s vote, but to call a state of emergency in encouraging young people TO vote.

This isn’t about party politics. This is much more important.

When: May 15
Doors open/registration: 6:45pm
Event start/end: 7pm-10pm
Where: Newspeak House, 133 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS:

• Lord Jim Knight (ex Labour MP)

• Abi Wilkinson (The Guardian)

• Danny Fahey (Thirty Pound Gentleman)

• Hannah Clare (Chair of the Young Green Party)

• Simon Childs (Home Affairs Editor, Vice UK)

• Mhairi Fraser (Director at Conservative Future Women and Parliamentary Assistant)

• Mete Coban (Founder My Life My Say)

• Shelly Asquith (Vice President Welfare National Union of Students)

• Kathryn Corrick (Founder Represents)

• Areeq Chowdhury (Chief Executive, WebRoots Democracy)

• Kenny Imafidon (Young Political Commentator)

• Jim Waterson (Political Editor Buzzfeed UK)

• Gemma Styles (Writer / Digital Influencer)

• Anna Rose Barker (Chair British Youth Council)

• Liv Little (Editor-in-Chief gal-dem)

• Isaiah Hull (writer and perfomer)

Schedule (subject to change)

• 6:45pm: Doors open for registration
  
  
• 7:00pm: Welcome by “Use Your Voice” event host, Billie JD Porter, who will also be joined onstage by some of the young people from “Use Your Voice” video
  
  
• 7:10pm: Screening of "Use Your Voice"
  
  
• 7:20pm-7:35pm: In Conversation: Billie talks with three of the young people from the video exploring what they learnt from their Brexit experience, and how they are engaging with GE2017
  
  
• 7:35-8:00pm: “Why do young people feel especially disconnected from politics?” Panel discussion followed by audience Q&A
  
  
• 8:00-8:30pm: “Should politics be taught at secondary school?" Panel discussion followed by audience Q&A
  
  
• 8.30-8.55pm: “How can we make sense of politics in the new media age?” Panel discussion followed by audience Q&A
  
  
• 8.55pm-9.20pm “Shouldn’t politics belong to everyone?” Panel discussion followed by audience Q&A9:20pm: Launch of Use Your Voice: The Toolkit. Billie is joined by with three young people who will explain why the Toolkit is important.
  
  
• 9:30pm: Networking/drinks
  
  
• 10:00pm: Finish