Richard Hermer KC launches youth programme to promote rule of law across the UK
The attorney general has announced a new initiative designed to recruit young people to promote the rule of law and engage their communities in discussions about justice. The Youth Ambassadors Programme will run from January to June next year and will involve 12 young people taking part in a series of expert-led workshops and visits to major legal institutions.
The programme will also include a residential weekend at Cumberland Lodge, an education charity that supports the development of future leaders. According to the announcement, the group of ambassadors will design and pitch project ideas to the law officers, Attorney General Richard Hermer KC and Solicitor General Ellie Reeves, before presenting the completed work to the public.
Hermer said the programme aims to listen to the views of young people and involve them directly in conversations about justice. He said the initiative seeks to listen to fresh perspectives and empower the next generation to lead discussions about justice in their communities. He added that the rule of law affects everyone and that young people must have a real voice in how it is promoted and protected. Hermer said he looked forward to working with the ambassadors as they bring their creativity and commitment to the programme.
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Cumberland Lodge will host the residential part of the programme. A spokesperson for the charity said it looked forward to welcoming the ambassadors and providing them with opportunities to collaborate and learn from one another. The spokesperson said the programme will give the participants space to develop the innovative campaigns that will shape how their generation understands justice.
The Youth Ambassadors Programme is open to applicants aged 18 to 25 from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Applicants will be assessed against four criteria. These include a commitment to public service and the rule of law, communication skills and experience, community leadership or impact and creativity in reaching new audiences.
The initiative is intended to create opportunities for young people to understand the work of the law officers and to take part in projects that encourage wider public engagement with the rule of law. Through a combination of workshops, visits and collaborative tasks, the ambassadors will gain insight into legal processes and institutions while developing their own ideas for engaging public audiences.
The programme follows wider discussions around the need to increase public understanding of legal systems and the role of justice institutions across the UK. By involving young people directly, the initiative aims to support a new generation of leaders who can help communicate the importance of the rule of law within their own communities.
Participants will take part in activities designed to build knowledge of legal processes and leadership skills. They will also prepare and deliver public-facing projects at the end of the programme. These projects will be shaped by the ambassadors’ experiences during the workshops and visits, supported by guidance from the attorney general’s office and from experts leading the sessions.
The attorney general’s office will oversee the programme, with Cumberland Lodge providing support during the residential component. The final projects will be presented to the public after the ambassadors have completed their placements and have received feedback from the law officers.
The application process is open to young people with an interest in public service and civic engagement. The selection criteria seek individuals who can communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership qualities and bring creative ideas for reaching new audiences.
Applications for the programme will be assessed on these criteria, with the 12 successful candidates taking up their roles from January.