23 November 2005

Two Wigan teenagers will be adding their voice to the debate on the development of e-government tomorrow.

Michaela Neild, 17, and 18-year-old Andrew O'Neil will be talking about how public services across Europe should be delivered at a conference in Manchester.

They will get the chance to talk through their ideas with the Cabinet Office minister Jim Murphy as well as address an audience of ministers from the EU, top academics and chief executives.

The conference has been organised by the Cabinet Office and the European Commission and aims to draw up a ministerial declaration on how e-government should be developed and what new targets should be set for 2010.

Mr Murphy said he's looking forward to hearing the opinions of the two students.

"I recently launched the government's strategy for transforming public services through IT and it is vital for us to engage the bright young minds of today who will help make the strategy a reality in the future," he said.

"Addressing two thousand senior officials from across Europe is daunting even for a minister so I have the greatest respect for Michaela and Andrew's poise and professionalism."

Both of the teenagers were selected for the conference after impressing judges with their presentations on e-government given at the end of a study day event organised by the University of Manchester.

© Adfero Ltd

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