Anne Sutherland has been interning at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington DC over the Summer. Here she describes her experiences and what she has learnt during her time in the States.
I have been interning in America, at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. The internship is in Washington DC and a month long which is not long enough! During my time at the CEI I have had some amazing experiences and had some amazing opportunities. I have published an article on the CEI’s blog marketplace.org and have also co-authored an article which was published in the Washington Times. My mentor, Iain Murray, and I wrote an article focussing on the nanny-state which appeared on the front page of the commentary section of the paper. The article entitled “Uncle Sam wants a cuddle” sent out a warning to the citizens of the United States about their ever encroaching government. It was amazing to see my name in print on the front of a newspaper. As a result, WBAL radio station in Baltimore picked up on the story and asked me to take part in an interview. This was certainly nerve-wracking as it was my first time on live radio but it proved to be a great experience and I was able to put some of the training I had received from YBF to the test.
One of the best things about getting an internship through YBF is the fact that I have had so many wonderful opportunities to do and learn about exciting things and of course to have the chance to work abroad. I have met so many nice people who have been so helpful in broadening my knowledge and deepening my understanding of capitalism, and how economics and politics works. I will be forever grateful for this experience and how enthusiastic people have been in encouraging my passion for politics.
I am so sad to be leaving, as it seems like I only just started. I will never forget what I have learnt and experienced during my time in Washington DC. It is priceless knowledge which comes only from immersing oneself in such an endeavour as an internship. Iain Murray has been a wonderful guide and teacher, and I will be forever grateful to him. The help from others around the office has ensured I gain a wealth of knowledge and they have helped prepare me for a possible life in politics!
The Young Britons’ Foundation can provide you with various internship opportunities with MP’s, MEP’s, Think Tanks, Journalists and other public figures. These opportunities are available in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Brussels and the United States. This summer Anne Sutherland, a YBF Graduate from Scotland, has interned at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington DC. Anne, along with the CEI’s Iain Murray, has written about the increase of the “nanny state” in America for the Washington Times.
Now that the election campaign is under way the political parties and news agencies are putting into force their media campaigns online with interactive sections on all their websites with the latest in graphics design, video production and new media ideas. However, in your local area what can you do for your campaign thats a little bit new and different?
One of the main things you can do is take pictures or make small films. Everyone has a phone and most have the capability to take pictures and make short videos. These can be uploaded to your candidates website as you canvas together or even do a short interview to camera. One great piece of technology that you can use if you have one of these phones is Qik. This live phone streaming service is a great way of showing what your candidate is up to at any given time and you can embed a live stream on your candidates website if you wish or even upload that video to Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. Even news reporters such as this Sky News reporter are now using Qik and you can too.
Do you want to learn about individual liberty and the free market? Is the free market the cause of the economic crisis?
Freedom Week is an annual one week seminar for 30 UK students at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University. Renowned lecturers teach students about the basic philosophy of a free society based on individual liberty and the free market.
Freedom Week is free for the students, and paid for by private donations and free market think tanks. Freedom Week is organised by Freedom Alliance, a not for profit organisation. Freedom Week will take place from 12 to 16 July 2010.
One of the weeks you are able spend in the USA as part of YBF’s Reagan-Thatcher Summer Conference Programme is at the Young America’s Foundation National Conservative Student Conference at George Washington Universityin Washington D.C. The week is spent listening to the top speakers from US politics as well as networking with like-minded conservative activists from across the USA.
This is an annual event and in 2008 YBF was covered in the Young America’s Foundation Libertas magazine. You can read the full article here or click the image below to enlarge the article.
To get your chance to visit the USA and meet leading conservative speakers click here for more information on what to do to reserve your place in 2010.
The ‘Special Relationship’ has never been more important between the USA and Great Britain. There is no better way to support our great nations relationship other than attending YBF’s Reagan-Thatcher Summer Conference Programme. This week not only gives you the chance to cement the ideals that have joined our two nations for years but also educates you in the latest campaign and skills training.
You can experience, first hand, the special relationship on the Reagan-Thatcher Summer Conference Programme.
If you would like more information please contact donal@ybf.org.uk.
The Freedom Association will be holding regular events every month called ‘Free Spirits’ somewhere in the Westminster village. These events are aimed to challenge your views but also so that you can here debates on subjects that normally aren’t discussed in your usual political surroundings. The first debate happened this week in the The Marquis of Granby Pub and was on the subject of ‘Freedom v. Security’. The event had two very interesting speakers. On one side there was Alex Deane, the Director of Big Brother Watch, and on the other side there was Douglas Murray, the Director of the Centre for Social Cohesion. The debate was lively and challenged many people’s views.
Simon Richards, the Director of the Freedom Association commented after the event,
“what struck me, from talking to people afterwards, was that many had had their views on this subject challenged and, in many cases, changed”
Steven Dent, YBF’s Director of Operations, attended the event and said,
“These events are a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in debating subjects that are not normally challenged in everyday politics”
The Freedom Association will be holding ‘Free Spirits’ events on the second Wednesday of every month from now on. For further updates about these events visit the Freedom Association website (www.tfa.net) or become a fan of them on Facebook.
One of the great aspects to YBF travelling to the USA in for the Reagan-Thatcher Summer Conference Programme is the week spent at the Leadership Institute in Arlington Virginia. The Leadership Institute one of the USA’s leading training organisation for young professionals and students alike who want to have the most impact in public life. The type of training studied includes skills in internet activism and social media techniques, along with television training in the Leadership Institute’s own television studio. This training is valuable for anybody who wants to enter public life and make the most of their television experiences.
The LI Studio’s says;
“Make your television appearances count. As a spokesman for your cause, you have just seconds to make an impact on a viewing audience. Communicating effectively on television requires skills different from other speaking situations. The Television Training Workshops explore the techniques of some of TV’s best communicators and teach you how to make the most of your on-camera opportunities.”
You can view some examples of the type of television training you could go through here.
We are all well aware that there is waste in our education system and thankfully YBF is here to expose the culprits.
The Arts and Humanities Research Council pays for research projects that include research into the the history of Victorian pantomime and children’s playground songs, to name just a few. The quango is given £100million by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills to give grants for education research in universities across England and Wales. A Young Britons’ Foundation study reveals hundreds of thousands of pounds is being pumped into research that taxpayers may struggle to find worthwhile.
YBF’s Chief Executive, Donal Blaney commented,
“It is worth remembering that at a time when ordinary people are having to tighten their belts the Government continues to throw millions of pounds at utterly obscure research…. now is the time to restrain Government spending and this kind of frivolous waste must be brought under control.”
You can read the full article as covered in the Sunday Express here.
Last week at the YBF Parliamentary Rally there were many speakers from across the conservative movement who attended and got to address activists from across the country.
One of those who attended was the Telegraph Journalist, James Delingpole. Please have a read of James’ blog article from 8th March about his experiences whilst at the YBF Parliamentary Rally last week and the reason YBF is such a valuable resource for conservative activists across the country.
