16 June 2005
Organisers and participants of the nationwide Hansard-organised Web Design Challenge have described the results as "awe inspiring".
The project, commissioned by Culture Online, part by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, was launched last year with the intention of boosting UK children's interest and involvement with democracy and political debate.
And the results of the project, which was also jointly organised by the Design Museum and supported by Microsoft, have far exceeded expectations as individual and group contributions amazed all involved.
Three students from Whitgift School in particular stole the show, designing a groundbreaking new website "Being Heard" that will provide young people with information on current affairs and political matters as well as an outlet for them to voice their views about various political arenas.
Kiran Purang, Wing Yung Chan and Hari-Vamsa Patel invented the site, believed to be the first website designed by and for young people to encourage them to participate in the policy and decision making process of government departments.
"The response to this competition has been awe inspiring," said David Lammy MP, Arts Minister. "It's fantastic to see such design talent in the classroom.
"The new Being Heard website will be a welcome addition to the web and gives school children a real opportunity to influence the political environment of the future."
Being Heard will go live in September and will be managed by the Hansard Society.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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