As part of his visit to Cambridge on 18th February, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales met with a group of 12-18 year-old students to discuss the challenges and opportunities currently facing young people in the UK and wider Commonwealth. Ten students from Westminster Academy, the venue for the kick off of the 2013 Enterprise Challenge, were amongst the group.

The students from Westminster Academy have also been involved in this year’s Enterprise Challenge. Jonathan Freeman, National Director of Mosaic, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students who have actually competed in our Enterprise Challenge competition to apply what they have learned to this important issue. There was a particular treat for Westminster Academy student Rawad, who gave a presentation to The Prince on the challenges facing young people today.”

Facilitated by Youth Business International and Mosaic, charities founded by The Prince of Wales, and the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the day consisted of a number of workshops, including a creative-writing session where
students used the Commonwealth Essay Competition as a vehicle to explore different ways of expressing their views. The day concluded with the students delivering proposals on tackling youth unemployment in the Commonwealth to The Prince.

Taking the 2013 Commonwealth Theme ‘Opportunity through Enterprise’ for inspiration, students attended a day-long seminar to explore issues of employment and employability in the Commonwealth. Schools that took part include Hellesdon High School, Norfolk; Impington Village College, Cambridge; Parkside Community College, Cambridge; Southfield School for Girls, Kettering; and Westminster Academy, London.

The recommendations made by the students will now be presented at the Youth Forum of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, to be held in Papua New Guinea this April. Andrew Fiddaman, Executive Director of Youth Business International, said: “Unfortunately youth employment is a major challenge in almost all countries, and we are delighted that these students will have the opportunity to discuss the issue and help develop effective solutions to ensure young people can achieve their full potential”.

Michael Lake, Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, added: “As enterprise education becomes an ever-more important part of a young person’s education, we are delighted that students today met with HRH The Prince of Wales to share their thoughts on employability in the Commonwealth.”

Katherine Ellis, Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, said: “The economic empowerment of young people is a central feature of our work, we believe young people can and are making significant contributions to economic growth and enterprise development.”

Mosaic will continue its build up to The Enterprise Challenge 2013 finals at Commonwealth Observance Day on 21st March.

See more photos from the event here.