We’re committed to doing more to protect and enhance the environment, which is why our Youth Panel work to explore and support this mission. 🤝
About the Youth Panel exploration
Our Youth Panel are always supporting us in the exploration of the intersection between environmental sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion. Some of the questions they discuss include:
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How can we embed this commitment into everything we do in a way that is fair and inclusive?
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How can we ensure London’s diverse voices help us to develop the most effective actions to deal with the challenge of our time, the climate and ecological emergency?
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How can we support a just transition so that everyone benefits from green jobs and health, including the economic benefits of moving towards environmental sustainability?
To help answer these questions, the Youth Panel speak to experts and diverse leading voices on these issues through workshops, interviews, written submissions and hearings held at City Hall.
It is our aim to be a strong, green heartbeat for London. No one has all the answers so young Londoners are vital to helping find them. This exploration by the Youth Panel is an invaluable way of supporting this. A published document will bring together the work in 2023 which TfL will respond to.
‘Sustainability and diversity & inclusion is a topic spoken about organisations and those in big companies, but the views and voices of young people are often not heard. Sustainability has been a personal interest of mine since I studied geography, as time goes on, change is required & the Youth Panel is able to provide a collective & collaborative voice for young people across London’
– Ho Kit, Lam (he/him), TfL Youth Panel Sustainability Champion
‘The intersection between Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and Environmental Sustainability is hugely important; and its significance will only increase over time, making it a critical issue for young people. Because of this, we as young people need to be included in the conversation, not just because it directly affects us, but because we are uniquely positioned to help problem-solve, implement change, and shape the future.’
– Lauren Price (she/her), Youth Panel Member
Behind the scenes at the exploration
To inform their work, the Youth Panel hold hearings at City Hall with experts and leading voices. Their first hearing held in November 2022 included:
- Melania Santoro, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
- Ollie More, Senior Policy Officer for London, Sustrans
- Mei-Yee Man Oram, Access and Inclusive Environments Lead, Arup
- Jon Alexander, Co-founder of New Citizen Project and Author
- James Lee, TfL Independent Disability Advisory Group Member
Watch what happens at a hearing 👇🏿
About the Youth Panel
Our Youth Panel are a brave and courageous voice for young people in London. They keep the societal issues central to us at the heart of our actions. They also challenge and work collaboratively with TfL, using their unique lived experiences to propose ambitious solutions, to build a liveable and successful London that serves all young people.
The panel also support, inspire and advocate for young people to have a stake in an inclusive, safe and sustainable London that young people are proud to live in. We all want young people to feel empowered with no limitations in how they experience and travel around London.
We value the human connections that make London the best city in the world, recognising the diverse challenges that young Londoners face, therefore the Youth Panel harness their creativity to stand out and be recognised as a powerful and engaging collective.
Get involved 👋
If you have expert knowledge or experience on the issues that the Youth Panel are interested in get in touch [email protected]
You can learn more about Youth Panel and our approach to sustainability.
Thank you, TfL Community Team, for the article, TfL Youth Panel Exploration. I learned a lot and it was a great opportunity. enjoyed reading it and it gave students a good insight into the benefits of being a part of the TfL Youth Panel.