What is the 99% campaign?
The 99% campaign is a youth-led initiative that aims to dispel stereotypes about young people, promote their involvement in decision-making processes and make the capital a better, safer and more inclusive place.
The campaign is run by the charity Independent Academic Research Studies (IARS) with the support of a Core Partners' Group.
Campaign aims
Through the 99% Campaign:
- "Disadvantages thinking" about young people is addressed and positive stories are promoted.
- Negative perceptions of young people are tackled.
- New youth opportunities are created while current opportunities are highlighted and enhanced by making them part of a kite-marking, partnership movement that uses the 99% brand to recognise high quality positive engagement youth projects within the objectives of the 99%
Current activities
99% Campaign Blog
As a result of the riots and the demand from young people to have their voices heard over and above the negative voice mainstream media, the 99% campaign now has a team of young journalists reporting on current eventsfrom a youth perspective through a multi-media blog, based on the citizens’ journalism concept. It acts as a platform for young people to express their views, debate issues that they feel strongly about, lobby for change in their communities, respond to current affairs and promote the positive contributions of young people in society. Any young person is able to post pictures, videos, voice recordings or comments to create streams of discussions related to current policy issues.
Negative perceptions of young people are perpetuated throughout the media, and there is a great deal that is not understood about the challenges and issues facing young people today. The 99% Campaign blog is a place for young people to speak for themselves and explore these issues on their own terms.
We are actively recruiting 99% journalists, and also welcome ad-hoc contributions in the form of short articles, videos and photography.
You can enquire or send contributions directly to: 99percentcampaign@iars.org.uk
Background
The 99% Campaign was launched in 2009 by the London Serious Youth Violence Board (LSYVB). The LSYVB itself was set up by the London Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) following a serious youth violence summit hosted by London Councils in November 2008. All of this was in the wake of the spate of 27 teenage murders in London in 2007, which led to what some have called a 'moral panic' about serious youth violence.
Following a Youth Summit and the Young Londoners’ Manifesto, as well as ongoing involvement of young Londoners through IARS' Youth Advisory Board for the LSYVB, the Board posited the following two recommendations for action at a pan-London level:
- Recommendation twelve: Involving young people in the decision-making process. Local and regional partners should continue to find ways to promote the voice of young people as sustainable solutions to serious youth violence are unlikely to emerge unless they reflect the priorities, energy and commitment of local communities, and in particular the voice of the young people who live in those communities. Based on the experience of the London Serious Youth Violence Board and its work with young people, it is recommended that statutory and non-statutory organisations and agencies should commit themselves to establishing, and demonstrating, clearly identifiable and accessible means for young people to directly feedback and influence on issues and decision making that impact on them.
- Recommendation thirteen: Public perceptions and young people. All partners need to understand that negative stereotyping; the media in particular can have a damaging effect on public perceptions but also on young people themselves, so far as limiting aspirations and life chances are concerned. All partners should ensure they promote a proportionate approach, whilst as the same time acknowledging that the vast majority of young people in London contribute actively and constructively to their schools and local communities.
These recommendations present the case for the 99% campaign quite clearly – it is a campaign through which the voice of young Londoners’ must be made to reach both general public and policy-makers, in order to dispel negative stereotypes, as well as to shape the policies that aim to respond to their problems.
Read the IARS 99% manifesto here.
Visit the 99% Campaign blog here.
Project related news
November 2011 - Minister Tim Loughton MP endorses 99% Campaign and IARS Youth Policy Group response to Positive for Youth consultation
October 2011 - 99% Campaign in the press
September 2011 - The August riots and why they occurred: Ben Hickey (17), Toysin Ajaayi (21)
September 2011 - The London riots a month on: The importance of restorative justice, by Aaron Thompson
September 2011 - Sentencing in a post-riot society, by Natasha Mellersh
September 2011 - Download the latest 99% Campaign poster for use in your school, youth club or charity
September 2011 - STOP PRESS: Promoting a Positive Young People's Image - 99% Campaign Poster on Tube & Over-Ground network
August 2011 - Why did the riots in England take place? Three videos
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Sean Illing
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Ladan Dirie
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Sherée Prospere
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by John Teamrat
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Ruth Onuoha
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Roma Khatun
August 2011 - Why did the riots in England take place? A brief recap
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Jabrane Iguider
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Sufia Shahnawaz
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Saleha Begum
August 2011 - London Riots: The perspective of Young Londoners, by Isabel Chapman
August 2011 - Calling all young Londoners! Reclaim our city through the 99% Campaign!
August 2011 - Calling on all young Londoners to restore and reconcile
August 2011 - STOP PRESS: Keeping calm after London riots: Young Londoners to lead the way
July 2011 - Press Release: New Youth-led Research on Youth Violence on Buses published
July 2011 - Southbank Mosaics win 99% Campaign poster competition
July 2011 - Diary of an IARS Research Volunteer, by Meghan Bidwell
July 2011 - The false and failed youth justice and equality policy: a new direction
July 2011 - APPLY NOW: Journalism and editorial opportunitites for the 99% Campaign
July 2011 - Serious Youth Violence: Diary of a young Londoner
June 2011 - Sponsorship opportunity for the new 99% TFL poster
June 2011 - Diary of an IARS Research Volunteer, by Meghan Bidwell
June 2011 - IARS Celebrates Volunteer Week
March 2011 - IARS presents at London Serious Youth Violence Board's final 'Next Practice' seminar
March 2011 - London Serious Youth Violence Board final seminar
March 2011 - Press Release: Young Londoners to lead on 99% Campaign
February 2011 - Met Police joins the 99% campaign pledge
February 2011 - Youth violence at transport hubs: Preliminary results
November 2010 - Do young people really deserve their violent reputation
November 2010 - IARS Press Release: Young people meet the media as part of 99% Campaign
October 2010 - IARS' Young People to Discuss Crime Reporting with Editors of the Metor and Evening Standard
June 2010 - IARS on Tackling Gangs and Serious Youth Violence
