Twofour’s Sarah Russell launches a project to involve young people in the South West in European politics

“I'm 24 and live in Plymouth, I've never voted in European elections,” says Sarah Russell. 

With the next election taking place on June 4th this year, Graham Watson MEP for Liberal Democrats is passionate about inspiring more young people in the South West to engage in European political processes.

He approached Twofour, who involved Sarah, in order to find out why the majority of young people in the UK have previously not turned out to vote and what can be done to inspire them to do so in the future.

Graham Watson said: “I am pleased that Twofour has asked Sarah Russell to carry out this project.  Sarah is not a “political animal” (as we say in politics) but she is a serious young person determined to help others learn about how the EU affects our lives.  I look forward to following her on her journey.”

“On Monday 2 February, I begin a quest to find out the answers to those questions,” Sarah explains. “For the four months that follow I will document my journey as Euro-novice to Euro-expert. Using basic digital video equipment I will create a sequence of video diaries shown at www.youtube.com/knowingmeknowingurup as well writing a weekly blog at www.knowingmeknowingurup.wordpress.com.

“I will attempt to get to grips with what it means to be a European citizen, finding out the ins and outs of the European Union and who, what, why you and I should be voting!

“All my life I have been passionate about the environment and protecting human rights but it has been over the last three years that I have developed a deep understanding of the phrase ‘actions speak louder than words.’ I have participated in a number of volunteering activities in order to support local and national charitable organisations, yet I never thought of myself as political and would never have said that I had an interest in politics. 

“I believe there are many young people like me, who as active citizens, make really positive contributions to the world around them. It is not that we don’t care about political issues it’s that we don’t have awareness or understand the political processes that require our involvement.

“I took on this challenge because I was impressed at the way Graham Watson MEP recognises the importance of the youth vote and is interested in using new technology, to create innovative solutions to capturing and maintaining the attention of young people.

“I will be travelling around the South West hoping to learn from the young people I meet along the way. I want to find out what they want from politicians and what they need in order to make politics more interesting and engaging?

“I am asking for the help of all young people, we need to communicate our needs in order to receive what we want and make the environment we live in one that each and every one of us can be proud of.”

www.youtube.com/knowingmeknowingurup

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