Alun Cairns MP is encouraging all local A-Level students in the Vale of Glamorgan to take part in the Political Studies Association (PSA)'s Schools' Short Video Competition, now in its sixth year.
A highlight in the PSA's calendar of activities to engage young people in the study of politics, the annual short film competition, sponsored by YouGov, is open to post-16 students who will be studying during the academic year 2016-17.
Commenting, Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, said: We cannot undervalue the importance of engaging young people in politics. In a year where we have seen so much political excitement, I'd encourage all local A-Level students to take part in this competition and submit their ideas and videos. Good luck to all local students taking part - we most certainly have the potential for a winning group here in the Vale!"
This year's competition asks students to explore a question on political leadership, examining what attributes are necessary to be a political leader as well as the advantages and disadvantages of presidential systems.
Shortlisted groups will be invited to The Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster to discuss the ideas raised in their video with a panel of politicians, journalists and academics. Previous jurors have included Victoria Derbyshire and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.
The winner of the Schools' Short Video Competition will receive their award at the PSA's Annual Awards Ceremony in Westminster. This year's ceremony takes place on 29th November 2016 in London and accommodation is provided for the winning group and their teacher in central London. On top of this, the winning students get a week's work experience with the YouGov political team during their school holidays.
CEO of PSA, Helena Djurkovic said: "The competition is a great way for students to develop new skills, explore their creativity and get in touch with contemporary political issues. The added training that winning teams get from YouGov - at the heart of political polling and public opinion monitoring - makes this initiative ever more worthwhile."
Full competition details for 2016 and how to enter are published on the PSA's website at: www.psa.ac.uk