News
- Heartstone photo exhibition launch
- Reaching for the Skies - Festival of Flight 2009
- Young Enterprise – London Finals 2009
- Glasgow 7th May 2009
- Tariq Ahmad appointed as Vice Chairman for Cities
Heartstone photo exhibition launch
Tariq at the launch of the new Heartsone Youth Project at New Scotland Yard with Deputy Police Commissoner of the Metropolitan Police – Commander Mark Simmons.
I attended a photo exhibition celebrating the varied cultures and faces of London which was launched at New Scotland Yard and will travel to Docklands, City Hall and Horse Guards Museum on Pall Mall in the coming year.
The project, entitled Chandra's London - A Photo Story of The City, features photographs taken by Heartstone photographer Nick Sidle in collaboration with young people, from diverse backgrounds, who live in London.
Reaching for the Skies - Festival of Flight 2009 - RAF Duxford 4th July 2009
Tariq with Vice Marshal Tim Anderson, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff at the Festival of Flight 2009 at RAF Duxford.
I remember one afternoon in September 2008 receiving an email from someone called Sita Kumari concerning an innovative new project called the ‘Festival of Flight’. I was firstly impressed by her sheer persistence, someone who took the initiative to follow through and make sure she got the desired response. It was that enthusiasm and passion for the project that really spurred my interest and more I then learnt about the project, the more interested I became.
From a local councillor’s perspective I was delighted to endorse and indeed support the project in the London Brought of Merton, because for me it was about something practical and achievable, which sought to provide, in its quite unique way, a means to tackling some of the social challenges of our society today.
It was about youth engagement through its ambassadors, education, the learning of new skills, community cohesion and building futures in the sprit of one community. How relevant to life today, to come across a project which sought to facilitate the development of young minds whilst focusing on how hurdles can be and must be overcome to achieve our goals and aspirations in life.
Indeed on personal reflection, the essence of project resonated with me deeply and I found myself drawn into profiling this project at a national level whilst supporting it in the best way I could.
The culmination of the project was in July at the RAF Duxford Air Museum. A perfect and most appropriate setting. As an aircraft buff myself, on arriving at the museum I was like a child caught up in a dream as I walked through the maze of aircrafts charting the history of flight, both military and commercial. The incredible heritage of some of the greatest aircraft to have graced our skies and protected our freedoms was complemented by the exhibition profiling the artistry of the young ambassadors of flight. Whether it was through photographs, paintings, poetry or the accounts of the young people involved, each display carried a very personal contribution of what these young ambassadors gained from the project. I was very much enthralled by the inspirational accounts of the young people who felt the project had given them so much and how they themselves recognised that their position as “ambassadors” involved them becoming positive role models amongst their peers. Indeed from these ideas emanated new thoughts and some of the ambassadors recounted that the project gave them both the confidence and skills to take on new roles within their schools, universities as well as within the wider community.
The event itself on the day was concluded with a formal session, which included various speeches from invited guests and I was delighted and honoured to have been invited to speak at the event on behalf of The Conservative Party and also in doing so both representing and conveying the best wishes of my party leader, David Cameron.
Without doubt one of the highlights of the day and certainly the most poignant was the live link up during this session with the Tuskegee Airmen who had served the US Air Force with distinction during the Second World War. Theirs indeed is a most noble example, on how they used their passion and service for their country coupled with their flying skills, to combat the enemy forces in the air and the prejudices of class creed and racial discrimination at home.
For me the festival of the flight shows at its core an inherent beauty, a project that can help us overcome barriers sometimes real and other times perceived, to achieve our goals. I am reminded of one of my all time favourite war films “Reach for the Skies” which was focused on the life of the great airman of our very own RAF, Douglas Bader; who overcame his own great hurdles and physical impairments to serve the country he loved. His humour, perseverance and absolute dedication to overcome every hurdle and obstacle in life much akin to the Tuskegee airmen, provide us with the inspirational examples for us all to realise that we too can reach for the skies.
“To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also achieve”
Young Enterprise Finals – London - June 2009
Tariq addresses the final session of the Young Enterprise Awards June 2009.
I extend my best wishes to all participants at this year’s Young Enterprise London Company Programme Innovation Awards, 2009.
In particular, I wish to covey my congratulations to all the finalists, who have done an incredible amount of work and shown great dedication in reaching the London finals.
I know nationally, that there are thousands of children and young people who take part annually in the various Young Enterprise initiatives. Indeed, one can only be amazed at the scope of all the projects which are run and the diverse range of ages of children and young people that benefit from the unique experiences and development which Young Enterprise provides.
We are course today are celebrating the company programme for London, which provides students between the ages of 15 and 19 with the practical skills of how to run a business, including the challenge of raising capital for their enterprise.
I must admit a glance at the list of finalists this year, if nothing else creates intrigue from the very title of the firms. Yet, when we delve beyond the imaginative and innovative company names, we discover the strength of each idea and project. Whether it is Globe, with their stories from around the world, Spin Doctor and their recycling fashion accessories, Spice’s gourmet contribution to cultural diversity, Heart and Sole putting colour into footwear, or indeed Avenue’s solution to forgetfulness and disorganisation through their “Memo Me” product, each enterprise has demonstrated the immense talent of all involved.
I therefore applaud the efforts and contributions of the participants, but also the organisers, the volunteers, the advisors and indeed all connected with the project that is Young Enterprise for their thousands of hours of devotion to what can only be described as a unique learning experience for the young people of today. At a time of great economic and social challenge for the country and indeed the whole world, it is programmes like Young Enterprise which provide the foundations for future success.
Community Event - Glasgow - 7th May 2009
with Annabel Goldie - Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party
On the 7th May Tariq helped to organise and then spoke at community event with Annabel Goldie MSP, Leader of the Conservatives in the
Scottish Parliament.
The event was held at the famous Burgh Hall in Pollokshields and was the first event of its kind under the “Goldie Direct” public hall style meeting. An audience of around 100 people attended the event consisting of many local residents and posed a wide range of questions to Annabel about the workings of Scottish Government and policy. Tariq also answered some questions focused on the banking crisis and elements of national economic policy.
The idea behind the event was to engage local people, provide a forum for them to raise issues of concern and interest and indeed for them to become better informed as to the workings of government in Scotland and Westminster.
Also present at the event was Shadow Scottish Justice Secretary Bill Aitken and local Counciilor David Meilke.
Tariq with Annabel Goldie Leader of the Scottish Conservatives and Cllr David Meikle in Glasgow at an event organised jointly by Tariq and the Scottish Conservatives as part of the Cities initiative and Goldie Direct programme in Scotland.
Tariq Ahmad appointed as Vice Chairman for Cities
15th July 2008
The Conservative Party is delighted to announce that Tariq Ahmad has been appointed as Vice Chairman for Cities. He brings with him a range of experience from his various roles in the professional, public and voluntary sector.
As part of its engagement with all sections of British society, the Conservative Party, under David Cameron, set up the role of Vice Chairman for Cities to ensure that the Party reaches all communities and understands their concerns. Tariq Ahmad’s experience puts him in an excellent position to continue this important work.
Commenting on his appointment, Conservative Party Chairman Caroline Spelman said:
“I am delighted to announce Tariq's appointment as Vice Chairman for Cities. It is an important role with responsibility for ensuring Conservatives are engaged with all communities in our urban areas. The cities of Britain form the hubs of our commercial and social life. They are also home to many of the most deprived members of our society. Tariq will do a great job building on the hard work of Kulveer Ranger and Sayeeda Warsi.”