After Dinner Speakers: Geoff Thompson, Everything but the Girl, Ruby Wax

He has recently been channelling his energies into helping develop the potential of young people from the UK and South Africa. The Spirit of the Streets Tour was a groundbreaking project involving partnerships established with the private sector. Last month, fifteen young people from the Greater Manchester area travelled to South Africa ahead of the World Summit. This provided them with the opportunity to experience what life is like for young people in one of the world’s newest democracies. Geoff is founder and Executive Chairman of the Youth Charter for Sport, Culture and the Arts; an agency developed to assist socially excluded young people. His visits to South Africa over the last ten years have had a profound effect on him - one that was shared by the teenagers who made the trip last month. Geoff said, “This venture was about developing social skills and tools that would help these young people later in life. It was a life changing experience for all of them; they visited regions that are affected by famine and communities that have been badly hit by AIDS. The impact on the individuals concerned has been enormous. They are still taking it all in now, after their return from Johannesburg.” The project is set to continue well into the future, with the continuing support of business organisations such as the Guardian Media Group and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The aim is to develop links between communities in South Africa and the UK that would provide lasting benefits for the people of both nations. “This is one way that young people separated by thousands of miles can learn from each other.” Geoff commented, “The importance of this project can’t be underestimated; it is vital.”