We are Alessandro Orlando and Iman Batool from Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton and we got the opportunity to attend the Labour Party Conference as 'Send My Friend To School Campaign Champions'!

Attending the Labour Conference was a remarkable experience, offering an invaluable opportunity to engage with a diverse array of influential figures. We interacted with 37 Members of Parliament (MPs) from various constituencies across the UK, including Lee Pitcher, Justin Madders and Navendu Mishra. Central to our discussions was the "Send My Friend to School" campaign, which aims to amplify the voices of young people in our community advocating for the right to quality education for every child worldwide.

In addition to our interactions with MPs, we also connected with Lords and Ministers, such as Michael Shanks and Wajid Iltaf Khan, further expanding the reach of our advocacy efforts. This engagement underscores the commitment to championing educational equity and ensuring that every child has access to quality learning opportunities.

Engaging with various Members of Parliament proved to be both insightful and rewarding. The MPs demonstrated exceptional kindness and receptiveness to discussions about equitable access to quality education and fairness in learning opportunities. During the conference, we had the privilege of hearing a speech from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which set the tone for further exploration of critical issues.

We took this opportunity to connect with other campaigns, including the National Education Union, which shares our commitment to investing in education. This collaboration allowed us to gain a broader perspective on key initiatives and policies, reinforcing the collective resolve to champion educational equity and access for all.

During the roundtable discussion, we engaged in a comprehensive dialogue alongside a distinguished panel that included Niamh Sweeney, Bambos Charalambous, Preet Kaur Gill and Jenny Ridell-Carpenter. The focus of our conversation was the critical role of the government in responding to and investigating educational needs, particularly in the context of crises and emergencies.

We examined the concept of "education in emergencies," highlighting the significant impact that conflicts and other challenges can have on learning environments. Collaboratively, we explored strategies and potential solutions to ensure that education remains a priority, even amid the most challenging circumstances. This dialogue underscored the urgent need for sustained attention and action to protect educational opportunities for all, regardless of the situation.

We hope to amplify our voices and efforts to further raise awareness, urging the UK government to take decisive action in addressing educational inequality and the critical issue of Education in Emergencies.

Send My Friend To School Campaign Champions,

Iman Batool (16) and Alessandro Orlando (15)