People power as citizens come together to advise Greater Manchester’s universities

50 local people from Greater Manchester have come together to form a pioneering new Greater Manchester Universities’ Citizens’ Panel

On Saturday 5 November, the panel came together with the five universities and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), as part of the city-region’s Civic University Agreement. The panel will work with the Greater Manchester Civic University Board to ensure that its work is rooted in the public's priorities.

Panellists come from all walks of life and have been selected to represent Greater Manchester’s age, gender and ethnic profile and come from all ten authorities across Greater Manchester.

The panel will advise on what activities the five universities in Greater Manchester might undertake to help create jobs, contribute to economic growth and to improve education and skills in Greater Manchester. 

The panel will work with the universities initially for a two-year pilot period, meeting key people from the organisations in through a programme of events and activities. During this time they will help shape priorities, explore how research and innovation can benefit Greater Manchester and advise on ways to engage with people across the city region.

Professor Richard Jones, Chair of the Greater Manchester Civic University Board and Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at The University of Manchester, said of the launch: “It’s really exciting to begin the work of our panel. The Civic University Agreement, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, committed GM’s five universities to work together for the benefit of our city region, so it’s important that our work over the next two years reflects the priorities of the citizens of Greater Manchester.”

Professor Jennie Henley, Vice Chair of the Greater Manchester Civic University Board and Director of Programmes at the Royal Northern College of Music added: “Our aim is to listen and learn from the people of Greater Manchester. We are really proud of the work our universities do, but we want to connect more and work in partnership with our communities to build a stronger and healthier Greater Manchester.”

The 50 panellists will work with the five Greater Manchester universities (The University of Salford, The University of Bolton, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester and The Royal Northern College of Music) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The work is being supported by Public First.

You can see the video and read more at : https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/special-features/universities-greater-manchester-listening-communities-25529315