Ctrl.Alt.Shift hit the ground at this year's Jesmond Community Festival in Newcastle. In the heavily-student populated region, we gathered up the foot soldiers to indicate how young people are ready and willing to play a big part in global development.

On the opening day, Saturday March 14th, Ctrl.Alt.Shift kicked off with a 'Hand in Hand' mural stunt just outside Jesmond Methodist Church. A graffed-up banner flew high like a beacon luring in bypassers to come and plant their painted hands on the mural. It got messy, as students and young people alike (either on their way to the library or pub) stopped to get involved in the Art Attack spectacle.

Project co-ordinator Anita Morais said: "The idea of this project is to raise the profile of young people in the community, so they may follow up and want to be part of the global community. It's about different people working together in a partnership, and the mural is a pledge for young adults to work 'Hand in Hand' alongside their neighbours, globally and locally".

This colourful stunt was just a starting point for future events, a sign to show how young people will continue to carry the torch of justice; and so the mural was appropriately followed on by a Ctrl.Alt.Shift In:Justice workshop on Monday night. Taking place in Jesmond Methodist Church, the event welcomed young people to tackle the issues of HIV stigma, gender power and climate change though drama workshops and discussion.

The message was 'Engage. Inspire. Act'. And the session pushed for just that, as before, during and after the workshops, through the medium of acting and simple vocal communication, the participants crossed views over the sorry state of some of the world's poorest, neglected and war-torn countries (DRCongo, Thailand, Gaza and the rest were hot topics). The group came together to announce ways in which change and progress can and has already happened (for example with the US cutting their HIV travel ban last year, the President of the Maldives announcing his country will be carbon neutral within 10 years following the screening of the film ‘Age of Stupid’ last weekend, and a questionable peace treaty being affirmed in Gaza). What was left on the agenda was to explore how we act now, where we go from here as a youth movement, with the comfort that Ctrl.Alt.Shift will be there to support, as a forearm to join, backing the fight through demos and campaigns all along the way. 

Was it a success? Debateable. As Anita said: "Global development and Ctrl.Alt.Shift is something that its volunteers and supporters need to take on and make their own." But judging by the response of Newcastle's newest Ctrl.Alt.Shifters, there's potential at hand.

Matt Taylor, a 25 year old returnee from youth-volunteering programme Platform2 said: "Ctrl.Alt.Shift seems to make youth work and projects cool again and much more appealing. Now all we need is more of it in Newcastle."

Fellow volunteer, 23 year old Graeme Douglas (who was the graffer behind the 'Hand in Hand' mural) also stated: "Ctrl.Alt.Shift has brought to light a lot of issues that I wouldn't have known about. It's a great way of raising awareness about global issues, and pointing young people in the right direction of how to tackle problems in the world". Witnessing the youth initiative making its way across the nation, he added: "It'll definitely be a good thing to get Ctrl.Alt.Shift events around the country. The more people that are aware of the project, and the problems it tackles, the more people there will be to find a solution".

Final thoughts come from Anita. I asked her if the youth are doing enough to fight injustice in this world. After a longish pause she said: "No. We have the potential to have such a great impact with the generation that's coming. It is going to be our world and we have the power to influence it – and if people were doing enough, then why would we be campaigning for change."

The ball is officially in our court.


Photos: Anita Morais

There will be another Ctrl.Alt.Shift In:Justice workshop next Saturday March 21st at the Jesmond Methodist Church in Newcastle. To get involved please contact Anita at [email protected]