Citizens for London

City Citizens is a project within the Unity of Identity project, set up by Domex. This imaginative idea is project designed to create a wider and richer sense of identity for disaffected young, and not so young, people in East London and elsewhere through communication and publication in a web based learning environment.

A consortium has formed in order to develop this innovative education programme for young people and adult learners who are socially excluded or who are disaffected or are at risk of disaffection. Clients will include people who are gifted and talented, homeless, those with special needs, young offenders and drug abusers, from school and society. The first pilot projects using artists and writers in residence will begin in East London under the auspices of Domex. But it is hoped that the programme might spread nationally and internationally.

Aims of the programme
Offer inspiration and support to vulnerable people
Broaden understanding of citizenship issues, beginning in East London communities
Develop the impetus to publish and share experience in order to learn
Help vulnerable school age children to anticipate challenges and deal with them
Provide support and training leading to jobs in publishing and computing.

Project Partners
  Covenant House, Toronto
  Creative Partnerships
  Crisis
  Digitalbrain plc
  Domex
  Hermitage Primary School, Web Wise Wapping
  Blue Gates Junior and Infants School, Web Wise Wapping
  2000AD
  MirandaNet Ltd is coordinating the development and management of the project

Methodology
The educational programmes will consist of:
Active and supportive workshops, encouraging the participants to find both inspirational and practical solutions
The creation of a website dealing with the challenges and the suggested solutions for disaffected young people
Accreditation routes in computing and in publishing

People who have been homeless will selected by Crisis, and internationally by Covenant House, and will be invited to tell their stories. Participants will be able to 'commission' artists to help them draw themes and writers to help them develop the scenarios.

The Web environment to be used will be Unity of Identity Citizenship website which was designed by teachers in Domex in East London funded by SRB. Multimedia computers will be used by Domex pupils to create and store comic strips and/or other illustrated work (short stories, poetry, diaries, magazines articles, webzines, links with other countries) which will be stored as first hand illustrative material on the website.

These stories will demonstrate participants' hopes and fears for our cities and for peace between diverse communities and cultures. The activity can be extended or varied to include, for example, art, drama, film, music and photography.

Expected outcomes
Greater awareness amongst school-age children about citizenship issues (national and international)
A website of citizenship challenges and solutions
A handbook about publishing
Courses about publishing and ICT
Raising of self esteem and creation of regular habits amongst vulnerable and homeless people
Vulnerable and homeless people with training and qualifications to seek jobs