03 Dec 2001
'What can politicians do to make government more relevant to young people?', 'Have the events of September 11 made you more patriotic' and 'When you go abroad, are you proud to be Scottish?'.
These are just some of the questions that will be on the agenda when senior school pupils from across the capital seize the chance to quiz politicians in a debate about national Scottish and British identity and citizenship in Edinburgh today (Monday 3 December).
Pupils from eight Edinburgh schools will take part in the Smith Institute debate in Edinburgh City Chambers, which will be chaired by Channel 4 News presenter Sarah Smith.
George Foulkes, Minister of State for Scotland will be just one of the panel of politicians fielding hard hitting questions from the city's pupils.
Mr Foulkes said: "Politics can be relevant to young people in many ways. The Smith Institute debate will be an excellent way for young people to put their views over to politicians.
"It is important that young people make their voices heard and that politicians listen to what they have to say. I am looking forward to being in the hot seat later today. You never know I could even be fielding questions from future politicians!"
Joining Mr Foulkes on the panel will be Jacqui Lait MP, Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, Liberal Democrat Scotland Spokesman and Angus Robertson MP, SNP Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Youth Issues.
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. Sixth year pupils from the following Schools will take part in the debate:
2. The debate has been organised by Edinburgh City Council Education Department, Edinburgh Young Scot and the Smith Institute.
3. The Smith Institute is a think tank that looks at issues which flow from the changing relationship between social values and economic imperatives.
4. Young Scot is a youth information and discount initiative focusing on what young people want out of life in Edinburgh.