SPH Youth Forum’s Ricky Maginnis put some searching questions to Origin Group’s Chief Executive Karen Wilson on the subject of respect earlier this month. Ricky was recording the interview for a radio programme about respect for community radio station CCR (Camden Community Radio).

What did respect mean to the Origin boss, 16 year old Ricky wanted to know and what did Karen think of Tony Blair’s ‘respect agenda’? Was there a problem with young people’s behaviour and was the government getting its response right?

Karen said she could understand why some people were intimidated by young people – as a woman, she knew how being out on your own late at night and encountering groups of youths could feel threatening. Older people sometimes felt vulnerable too.

But the Chief Executive insisted that only a minority of young people were responsible for anti-social types of behaviour and said it was vital not to tar all youngsters with the same brush. She also said that whilst there was a place for ASBO’s and other punitive measures to tackle bad behaviour, SPH was placing the emphasis firmly on positive activities – such as the Youth Forum and Basil Jellicoe youth club – to engage young people, build their confidence and offer them new opportunities. Curfews and measures to break up groups of youths needed to be balanced with the rights of young people to go about their normal business, she added.

Ricky asked if Karen thought it would be a good idea to create more opportunities for younger and older people to talk to each other and understand each other’s point of view. She agreed this was an excellent idea and said she would be happy to take part in this sort of forum.

You can listen to the programme on Respect, which includes Ricky’s interview with Karen, at the end of March on the Camden Community Radio website - www.ccradio.org

CC Radio took part in live web-streaming OpenAir Broadcasts throughout the summer (05) through London Link Radio. We constructed several dynamic and varied OpenAir Broadcasts which went out on Wednesday evenings in July and August.

Listeners enjoyed several sets of live Irish music from the local band the Northern Celts presented by Les Coughlan (one of CC Radio's most dedicated volunteers).

The OpenAir Broadcasts also featured music from talented Camden young people who work in the SHED music studio. Shauna O'Briain from Youth Initiatives gave a motivating account of what goes on down in the music studio at St. Pancras Community Association and played some great tunes from the SHED's upcoming compilation album. If you want to buy a copy for £5 or come down to the SHED project contact Nisha on 020 7554 3540.

Local poet and photographer, Angela Inglis featured as a studio guest on one of the OpenAir Broadcasts reading her moving poetry about King's Cross' changing landscape and promoting her exhibition at Camley Street Natural Park (open throughout October and the beginning of November 05).

We enjoyed lively reports from our summer festivals brought to us by Dan Walker and Shabhana Rahman and one of the OpenAir Broadcasts was with first time presenter Rosie Sanders at very short notice. She was a natural and we look forward to hearing more from her in the future