For as long as I can remember, the media has focused more on the problems with our youth than the positives. For example, yesterday’s Daily Express exaggerated headline stated: “35 Million Yob Crimes a Year”.

Being the father of three children, I know that young people learn by example. They have a lot to offer if they receive the right encouragement and guidance. We, as adults, can learn from young people as much as they can learn from us.

Recently, I had the privilege of chairing the United Kingdom Youth Parliament Debate at the British Museum. I was not sure what to expect when I arrived. There were over 200 young people aged 15-18 from all over the country.

It became immediately clear that they are passionate about issues, without the cynicism that some adults tend to develop about the world in which we live. The theme of the debate questioned whether experience was more important than youthful energy.

I was impressed by their enthusiasm and the standard of argument. They debated without name calling or other bad behaviour. This is something the adult House of Commons could learn from!

The audience was very welcoming towards me and this helped me to chair the debate. There was one contributor that made a significant impression.

She was a 17 year old girl, who only made one intervention. In a quiet voice she said that she was not an expert in politics (who is?!) but she felt that she had some experience of life. She paused and added that for the last few years she had been the main carer for her bed ridden mother.

Her contribution was short, but powerful. Her experience of being a carer will give her an insight into Life’s difficulties that many of us do not have. It will be interesting to see how that young woman’s career develops.

I left the event with hope for our future. There is presently disillusionment about politicians and public figures. But on the evidence of this event, our future lies in better hands.

Whilst I do not disagree with Mr. Justice Irwin’s opinion, I am concerned that this could further foster negative attitudes towards young people in general. 

A poll commissioned by Barnardo’s examined attitudes towards young people. Astonishingly, 49 per cent of adults asked regarded children as “increasingly dangerous”. 53 per cent thought young people acted like animals and 45 per cent refer to children as feral.

These results are disturbing not least because the response is so disproportionate. In fact, according to the British Crime Survey, 88 per cent of criminal activity is committed by adults. How have we reached this stage? The situation is complex but two central points need to be discussed.

Firstly, I blame the media. You can rarely read a newspaper or watch the television these days without hearing a negative story featuring young people or gang related crime.

Secondly, there is a lack of positive role models for young people. Youth violence is a serious problem but I believe that we need to focus on the positives whilst accepting and dealing with the negatives.

Young people are at the centre of my charity the Warwick Leadership Foundation. (For more information please visit: http://www.warwickleadership.org/) This charity provides young people with ethical leadership and it helps empowers young people to achieve their aspirations.

I regularly see young people making a valuable contribution to society. I chaired the UK Youth Parliament debate in the British Museum in November and was impressed by the intelligence, energy and creativity of the young people present.

I believe it is time that the majority of young people who are doing well should be listened to. It is time that young people who want to achieve were seen and heard.

Of course the world won’t stay like this. Even the most stable democracy can be overturned by a seductive philosophy. And war will probably come again. Then young people will want to exercise their views again.