Meet the panel!

Find out more about the current members of Plan's Children's Advisory Panel and why they decided to take part.

Katie (16) from Leicester

I joined CAP because “I want to help change the world for the better” was a decision I made from an early experience of the tear-jerking ‘Live Aid’ video. Being in CAP is a great opportunity to show how important I believe young people’s opinions are because no-one knows children better than children (us!).

The intention to be in CAP isn’t to get something out of it but to put something into it. It’s taught me more about the world and issues like HIV/AIDS, gender, children’s rights and poverty. Being in CAP helps me to raise awareness about these issues.

In my spare time I do lots of singing, dancing and acting – I’m very active! I’m a member of a theatre group and help teach a children’s performing arts class. I also love to write and am a part of a charity group at my school.

Elly (14) from Stoke-on-Trent

I love being in CAP because I get to work with all the members to voice children’s opinions. CAP has changed me because I used to be lazy and not appreciate the things we have. I now walk everywhere thinking that girls and boys of about seven have to walk from my house to Hanley in a day.

I think it’s really important to think about less fortunate people – I helped collect money for the tsunami appeal with my Dad which touched me because people were being rude and ignorant and made me actually realise what we were doing it for.

In my spare time I like shopping and spending time with my friends.

Kurtis (14) from Surrey

I joined CAP so I can help people in other countries. My favourite thing so far has been going to Germany for the debate on gender discrimination in February. It was great to meet other young people from all over the world. Even though we couldn’t all speak the same language, we found other ways to communicate with each other.

In my spare time I like playing basketball, pool and swimming.

Nia (13) from Middlesex

I joined CAP when it started in 2005 because I really wanted to make a difference. I feel that many people don’t get a say and it’s not often children get to be heard, so CAP’s a way to change this.

In my spare time I love dancing, doing drama, and athletics.

Durgha (17) from Leicester

My Dad sponsors a child with Plan and so I read their quarterly magazine – I’m really interested in Plan’s work. My favourite thing is being able to voice my opinion, the best moment being when we met the Undersecretary of International Development, Gareth Thomas to discuss HIV/AIDS.

In my spare time I like playing badminton and rock climbing. I’ve done other voluntary work, too – at college I’m a part of the charity group for which we do fundraising.

Alia (16) from Solihull

I’m half-Egyptian so I joined CAP because I’ve seen the real contrast between rich and poor and want to help children worldwide realise their potential. Politics and caring aren’t just adults’ jobs; young people should have their say, too.

In my spare time I love to write. I also play drums and like skiing, fashion and sports.

Olivia (17) from Manchester

I wanted to be in CAP because it’s really important that adults listen to children’s views, particularly children who don’t usually get a chance to voice their opinions, and especially when they intend to make decision that influence us.

I spoke out on BBC Manchester Radio recently on behalf of CAP and the work we do. I’ve also done charity work before like raising money for underprivileged children.

When I’m not busy with my college work or my part-time job, I love to shop and spend my hard earned money! I also love just relaxing with friends, it’s the best and funniest way to wind down.

Maurice (16) from Kent

I joined CAP to broaden my understanding of Third World issues. I travelled to Kenya and Tanzania with my Mum and some friends. We climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, but I got sick and had to come down. I ate with the guide in a shanty town and I was shocked to see the conditions that people were living in. During the climb the teenage porters were telling me how they worked as porters so they could raise money to go back to school to learn to be qualified guides.

I would like to use the things I learn from CAP to better understand the issues facing people my own age around the world. At the moment I sponsor a small boy called Cornel in Uganda, through Plan.

Kate (14) from London

I joined CAP in August 2007 because I really wanted to make a difference.

I found out about Plan when I was doing work experience at the Staying Alive Foundation at MTV, and I met with some people from Plan who were working with MTV. They thought I would be suitable for the CAP and suggested I applied. Joining CAP is amazing and I look forward to really working hard for the cause with panel members.

In my spare time I love acting, dancing, hanging out with my friends.

Sarah (13) from Leeds

I joined CAP because I didn’t just want to sit back and watch the world go by; I wanted to help and make an impact! It may only be a small impact but if everybody did something small to change the world then it would make a very big difference. I think that the voices of young people are just as important as any others and the CAP is a brilliant project to be involved with to get your views across. And I’m looking forward to working with lots of different people!

In my spare time I love to sing and dance. I also attend regular meetings with Leeds youth council and UK youth parliament. But it’s also nice just to relax and hang out with my friends (and shop)!