Graham Norton’s Show, broadcast on New Years’ Eve, which achieved a record audience, included a number of leading celebrities – which was great. Unfortunately, the biggest name, Tom Cruise, was treated in a sickly, sycophantic, fawning, gushing way by the host – he’s an actor, not a messianic figure!

Worse still, the film he was promoting with co-star Rosamund Pike has been labelled “an unfortunate accident all round” by Tim Robey in the Daily Telegraph, Philip French in The Observer wrote “Tom Cruise fails to measure up as Lee Child’s action hero”.
No objective or balanced assessment was made by Norton, who inferred the movie was great! He asked no questions of significance to Cruise, just lauded him as a superstar. Cruise, himself, said nothing of note during the show, despite the audience being whooped up to a frenzy.

Our criticism is that firstly this breaches BBC Guidelines on Advertising and Promotion. Secondly, and more importantly, it is demeaning for viewers to see a major host kowtowing to a celebrity guest, failing to ask anything other than the most banal questions.

Finally, at the end of the show, a charming non-celebrity went into the infamous “Red Chair” and began to tell an interesting anecdote about what happened during her travels in Canada. Before we could discover, she was unceremoniously tipped off – treated with contempt because she is NOT a superstar! What sort of an impression does that give to impressionable young adults? Suck up to the stars, treat your peers like dirt!

This was the worst example of exaggerated celebrity culture we have seen, sadly, it will have seeped into viewers’ consciousness.

Next time, put Tom Cruise in the Red Chair – we’ll pull the lever! Or abolish it altogether – it is demeaning.

We never did get to hear the end of the interesting anecdote.

For your assistance, relevant points from BBC Guidance on Promotion and Advertising are below.

Kind regards
Michael Desmond
(07931 526697)

BBC Guidelines on Advertising & Promotion:
•Promotional activity must not undermine the values of the BBC brand

•The nature of the presenter’s on-air role will affect what is appropriate

•Any presenter who appears on-air in a journalistic capacity will have considerable restrictions on what, if any, promotional activities they may undertake

•There will be fewer restrictions on entertainment presenters or lifestyle presenters providing their integrity and the integrity of the programme they present is not undermined

ANY QUERIES? Info@societysyndrome.co.uk – or contact Michael Desmond on 07931 526697 www.societysyndrome.co.uk

Thursday 23rd – Monday 27th August 2012

JOIN US this Bank Holiday Weekend for a Jewish Heritage Tour of Odessa

Odessa is the Pearl of the Black Sea, without doubt, the finest city in Ukraine, with a longstanding Jewish heritage. The tour is being organised by Michael Desmond and Anechka Grudinovker, from Odessa’ s Jewish community.

Itinerary includes: Tour of City Centre (General, not Jewish Odessa) with guide including main street, city garden, Opera, the famous Potyomkin stairs, etc.

Visit to the Jewish Museum; Friday evening visit to shul, Saturday morning service, meeting with the Chief Rabbi of the community, walking tour of Jewish Odessa, two kosher meals – at Hevron restaurant, situated under the Great Choral Synagogue and Rozmarin restaurant. For those who do not wish to go to shul, other activities will be available.

In the evenings, those who wish to, can sample the exciting night life of the city including Captain Morgan’s Bar and Itaka international nightclub. We can also visit Arcadia, a large entertainment area by the beach, with a host of restaurants, nightclubs, karaoke and entertainment.

We will stay at: CHORNOYE MORE HOTEL, 59 Riselyevskaya Str. Odessa, Ukraine, 56012 This four star hotel has air conditioning in each room, free use of a Health Club including gymnasium and swimming pool and a Business Centre. Single people will have their own room with an en-suite, couples will obviously share a larger room.

Price of the trip will be £550 excluding flight. Price includes four nights accommodation at Chornoye More including use of Health Club, breakfast, two kosher meals and up to three coach/minibus or taxi trips to venues. You do not need a Visa to visit Ukraine, but do, of course, require a valid passport.

Cheap flights are available via Wizz Air (a Budget Airline) from Luton to Kiev, you can then fly onto Odessa. It is, however, a little fiddly! Wizz don’t fly every day and their chosen airport in Kiev is not the main one, which you would have to get a taxi to, in order to fly onto Odessa. My chosen route is via Ukraine Airlines to Kiev from Gatwick, then onto Odessa. Book flights separately, (ie London to Gatwick on 23rd August, return morning of 27th August) and Kiev to Odessa 23rd August, Odessa to Kiev, early morning flight 27th August. If you book ongoing flight, you can have a problem with luggage, collecting it in Kiev is simpler.

Alternative routes to Odessa are many and varied via Warsaw, Vienna, Tallin and many other cities, although there are no direct flights from London – it is easier than you may think to get there!

Terms and conditions:

1. Payment to be made in full on booking (Cheques payable to On The House)
Any profit will go to House the Homeless (see www.housethehomeless.com)

2. Full refund, if cancellation before 18th August 2012, thereafter, no refund.

3. If the tour is cancelled for any reason (eg civil unrest, airline strike, etc) any
payment made will be refunded, no liability will be accepted for anything else

To: On The House, 21 Church Road, London, SE19 2TE Please include me/us on
the trip to Odessa, I attach herewith a cheque for £550; (£900 for couples)

Name/s………………………………………………………………………………………

Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Email………………………………………………………………………………. No of people……….

Telephone (including mobile)…………………………………………………………….

An extraordinary event took place at Hackney Town Hall on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, the UK’s first “Have Your Say Day” for young people was held in the Council Chamber. The event was introduced by Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington and Shadow Public Health Minister. She explained the importance of Freedom of Speech but said what was being espoused had to be listened to and heard. “Young people have less opportunities to get their views and opinions across,” she said, “Have Your Say Day gives these young individuals a chance to express themselves on some of the different issues important to them.”

The event was chaired by Cllr Michael Desmond, who also chairs Society Syndrome, he said he had been on the original Planning Committee for the Olympic Games and did not want them disrupted by campaigns or protesters, it was far better for people to have their say today – exactly a month before the start of the Games. The intention was to give young adults a platform to get their views across; time would be available for people of any age to have their say towards the end of the meeting.

Over 50 young adults were present from Hackney Community College, BSix, Lambeth, Croydon, Redbridge, Newham, Lewisham and Margate; controversial topics were raised and discussed including: Stop & Search, smoking, high premiums on motor insurance for younger people, difficulty finding a first job, the low ratio of female MPs compared to male ones and problems obtaining proof of nationality even for some long-standing residents.

Uche Umolu of Loxford School of Science and Technology in Ilford started an interesting debate on the need for more female representation in politics, she spoke from the heart saying it was dismal how few women were in the Cabinet, saying women often had special skills and talent which was not reflected in the current composition of Parliament, some others present countered saying councillors & MPs should be elected on merit, not just because of their gender.

Annaelle Kebani & Rochelle Thompson from Woodford County School complained how expensive everything was for young people, especially motor insurance for females who statistically make less claims. A number of speakers mentioned they had been victims of stop & search, questioning police tactics and the indignity they felt, Diane Abbott and Cllr Desmond said they would raise the issue with the police.

Martin Dockrell of ASH, the anti-smoking group, spoke about health issues affecting young people and how tobacco companies through creative marketing, were still enticing young people to smoke. Most present agreed with his sentiments, students from BSix College explained the attitude of the college and how smoking was discouraged. Hubert Howard, a local resident, explained how he had come to Britain in 1960 but due to changes in immigration controls, his employer sacked him because he could not prove his status. “Dealing with UK Border Agency was like being in a labyrinth with no way out”.

The event was neatly summed up by Alexandra Winning, one of the students at BSix College who said: “it’s good to hear other people’s views on topics I’m interested in”.

If you want to get involved with Society Syndrome, please contact us at: info@societysyndrome.co.uk

Have Your Say Day will be on Wednesday, 27th June 2012

– exactly a month before the start of the Olympic Games
– from 10.00am to 11.30 am in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Mare Street, Hackney,E8 1EA
– Opened by Diane Abbott, MP, Shadow Public Health Minister
– An opportunity for young people 15-19 to say what they think on issues of the day
– Time for people of any age to Have their Say after
– No need to disrupt the Boat Race or Leveson Inquiry. You can Have Your Say on any non-racist topic.

We look forward to welcoming all who wish to have their say!

There is a huge risk that groups or individuals with a bee in their bonnet, a strong
belief, cause or grievance will try to disrupt the London Olympics in some way;
obstructing marathon runners, streaking at the football, abseiling down the stadium,
parachuting into beach volleyball – you name it, they’ll try it!

We’re not talking about terrorists, anarchists or straggling rioters from last summer,
recently released from prison, looking for work experience when Comet or Dixons
close; rather, it’s Fathers for Justice, pro peace/anti capitalists, campaigners against
homelessness, pensioners grey army – rightly protesting against the “granny tax”, the
anti-car brigade, anti parking restriction groups, pro-life, pro “choice”, dissidents
opposing Chinese/Syrian/Zimbabwean governments, pro democracy, anti-smoking,
tax payers alliance, anti-tax evasion bods….it’s endless. Everyone has a gripe or two,
those living in repressive countries, rather more than others. All want to be heard;
many have a point and see the Olympics as an international spotlight for them to
make it; they shouldn’t.

The Games provide a unique opportunity for the best sportspeople in the world
to compete within the finest facilities, a showcase for Britain – not it’s fractious
differences – it’s organizational skills, friendly population, magnificent scenery
and night-time economy. We can provide a sporting feast in a calm, safe, stable
environment. Those with something to say, should have a chance to say it – but not
by disrupting the Games.

Let’s have a Have Your Say Day a month before, BBC and ITV should provide a
couple of hours free air time so legitimate groups, campaigns and protesters can put
their views across. Newspapers, Facebook, Google and Twitter should join in. We are
different from China, where the Games were last held, we are a democracy. Let the
media provide open access, the BBC can prove it is still a public service broadcaster,
private owners of newspapers currently being investigated by the Leveson Inquiry
into phone hacking, can show they are not just a receptacle for celebrity tittle tattle,
and do something useful for once.

Voters have recently shown alienation, let’s listen to legitimate non racist opinions,
everyone with something to say should have a chance to say it. The Day can be exactly one month
before the Opening Ceremony on 27th June 2012. Free speech is important, not a
game; but it should not disrupt our Games. There’s nothing elitist about that!

This article was recently posted on www.uknowotimean.com and below are some of the comments left on this subject:

MARK says:
I BELIEVE IN THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AS LONG AS IT IS NOT USED TO INCITE HATRED OR VIOLENCE . WE SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO DEMOSTRATE IN A PEACEFUL WAY .

tashie5dug says:
Freedom of speech should be guaranteed in this country – only speech which incites violence should be banned.

GARDENSHED88 says:
lets hope its used properly

DUSTER777 says:
great idea if it works

WHEELS555 says:
everyone should have their say

FUDGE007 says:
is anybody actually going to listen?

COMPUTER599 says:
good idea

bigmumma says:
I dont agree with people disrupting and possibly causing an accident to others, so I guess there should be somewhere to air your views and be listened to. speakers corner in London is a great place to go and get things off your chest rather that disrupt others.

newgolddream71 says:
good idea

krnries says:
I think people in power pay lip service to people’s views and this would be the same

morrices says:
The older I get, the more anti-establishment I’ve become. Have Your Say Day is a fantastic idea to let us all air our views – I’ll be hoarse by the end of the day!

coppelia100 says:
I personally have no interest whatsoever in the Olympics and have managed very cleverly to time my summer holiday this year so that I will be out of the country for them!! Whilst I have every respect for the athletes who dedicate their lives to their chosen sport, the 2012 Olympics being held in the UK will be of no benefit to 99% of the population. The vast majority of events are held in and around London, the majority of building and regeneration programmes are in London and its surrounding area and most normal / average British people have been unable to get tickets for the events and even if they could have bought tickets would not have been able to afford them!! So all in all I must be honest I don’t see a point in all the fuss and the general hoo-ha surrounding them. But, whilst I am not at all interested in the Olympics, I don’t believe they should be disrupted by individuals and groups protesting and causing disruption. There is a time and a place and whilst millions of viewers around the world will be watching the Olympics is not the time or place and will not show the Britain in a good light, especially following the summer of rioting last year

sheridarby says:
We keep shouting that we don’t want our local library to close – but no one listened. Libraries increase literacy. Please don’t close them

zeenie says:
great idea. there should be more days for people to have their say. will anyone really listen though?

angiehoggett says:
freedom of speech and all that!

Nocona says:
I am all for free speech however I think more support is needed for such a national treasure as the Olympics is about to be! It will bring much needed tourism and good press to our country hopefully! It’s just a shame more tickets were not avaliable and at reasonable prices and shared out more so that many more true brits had the opportunity to go and see them!

jj32 says:
I find it very hard to explain to my seven year old why we will not be going to watch any of the olympics live. as i don’t really understand myself why we are are not going i don’t object to people protesting but i do object to us having to pay to for the people who carry out their protests in a distructive manner

haxel says:
We do have free speech in this country – you only have to look at some other countries to see how privileged we are. Where we have gone wrong, however, is that we haven’t fostered the idea that with rights come responsibilities. I like the idea of an organised Day when everyone can have their say but I fear it would turn into a bun fight!

dwerry says:
The Olympics has already been hijacked by the corporate world. I know we need the sponsorship to help with costs but the way they prevent small business and even charity events from using any statement or symbol that relates to the games is already contributing to the lack of freedom in this country to do or say what you think.I think people should be allowed more air time to vent their views, there are plenty of TV channels about and more ‘ordinary folk’ using them might be an improvement.

phyllgerry says:
We really do not have free speech in this country. I can’t see why anyone who wants to protest should be allowed to anywhere and any time, so long as the laws are abided.

crazyminx says:
This is a good idea, and I’d happily support anything that promised less disruption in the Olympics, which should be about sport only. However I’m not sure how practical this idea would be. Some outlets would be very concerned about giving voice to extremist or inflammatory views. And there are so many different people and organisations with varying views, that even a Have Your Say Month would be unlikely to cover everyone! Still, at least we can all have our say on the internet

alex621 says:
I think everyone should be able to have their say, as long as its not racist or offensive

deaddogsmoking says:
Too many extremists would see it as an opportunity to air a diluted view of their policies to attract the careless of thought.

carowood says:
We should be proud to be British and support the Olympic Games. They are a good thing. I believe in Free Speech but the Games should not be a platform for this.

emymc says:
Great idea!! Get it all of our chests & out the way so we can enjoy what the games are really about!

maci234 says:
free speech it should be just that no nonsense

katwoman2 says:
I am in no way a sports fan at all but have a healthy respect for it and those who choose to run in the rain and such like…madness.
Despite the fact that I won’t be watching the Olympics I really do feel that it’s a great PR exercise for the UK and, no doubt, a great opportunity for anyone who wants to draw attention to their cause to jump on the bandwagone.
My opinion. Leave it alone and campaign elsewhere!

ashleighallan says:
I’m torn can see both sides, not sure if i think its a good idea or not!

maisietoo says:
Free speech should be just that – not limited to a particular time. That’s such a Big Brother/Nazist idea.

So how do we improve self-esteem and social mobility in young people today?

It is useful to consider the Developmental Assets framework, a strengths-based framework for young people’s development that was presented at the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. This report identifies 40 critical factors for young people’s growth and development. When drawn together, the assets offer a set of benchmarks for positive child and adolescent development. The framework is split into external and internal assets.

External assets derive from the environment in which young people grow up – the support they receive from people and institutions. These assets include: a) support and empowerment, enabling young people to perceive that they are valued by the community; b) boundaries and expectations, in which young people are influenced positively by their peers, especially their best friends; c) constructive use of time.

Internal assets act as a guide, creating a sense of identity, purpose and focus. Internal assets include: a) a commitment to learning; b) positive values; c) social competencies, in which young people know and feel comfortable with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds; d) self-esteem and positive identity, according to which a young person feels that he or she has control over “things that happen to me”.

The Developmental Assets framework is grounded in research on child and adolescent development and on public health. It finds that the more assets young people have, the more likely they are to grow up to be caring, competent and responsible and the better their chances of contributing to their society and finding a meaningful purpose in life; and conversely, the less assets they have, the more likely they are to engage in substance misuse and anti-social behaviour.

I feel the assets approach is a positive philosophy, which looks to build resilience in children and young people. Assets measure qualitative aspects of a project, rather than simply measuring outcomes, like attendance or participation, that say little or nothing about the experience of the young person.

I think it is vital that the government should provide more sustainable support for long-term developmental projects, provided by the voluntary and community sector, that work to improve intergenerational mobility.

ASPIRATIONS

Important evidence about aspirations is provided by a paper by the Social Exclusion Task Force entitled: “Aspirations and Attainment in Deprived Communities”.

Research shows that young people living in deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to develop high aspirations. The paper identifies inspiration, information, self-esteem and self-efficacy as important factors leading to high aspirations. Voluntary and community groups working with children and young people can enable them to gain new skills, enhance their aspirations and expand their horizons to help them achieve greater goals than they might have considered possible otherwise.

As an example: the youth charity Raleigh commissioned a study that showed the impact on disadvantaged young people of international ventures to developing countries. Some of these young people had experienced a range of difficulties such as unemployment, homelessness, drug and alcohol problems, mental illness and violence. Over time it could be seen that the young people were positively affected by their experiences, and some went on to higher education, overcoming some of the limitations experienced by their disadvantaged circumstances. The international ventures widened their horizons and networks and helped them to break away from destructive influences and behaviour patterns.

POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADULTS CAN IMPROVE SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE

A key issue for some young people in deprived communities is a lack of positive role models.

The Small Grants Programme in South London has funded Southside FM, a radio station which engages young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through music and creativity, giving them the chance not only to express their views through radio but also to learn new skills like music production, engineering and broadcasting. Out of the young people that were involved in the project, 30 per cent categorized themselves as not being in education, employment and training, and 91 per cent were from an ethnic minority. The Southside experience enabled them to feel more involved in their community by giving them something to do, other than hanging out in the streets. It was an inclusive environment; it raised the young people’s self-esteem, gave them new skills, improved their communication skills and made them think of new career opportunities. And most important, it gave the young people contact with trusted adult role models.

I think government funding should be increased for this kind of project, which can be an important stepping stone for young people, improving the social mobility of their lives.

EDUCATION

In 2012, university fees of between £6,000 and £9,000 a year will be introduced. I believe this will have the effect, over time, of reducing social mobility.

Students from less privileged backgrounds are more likely to end up training for jobs that will limit their options for the future. Government statistics and newspaper league tables measure student employment status soon after graduation, as if it were the final word on the issue – but students at universities are concerned with lifetime careers; they want to grow and develop.

My fear is that people taking the short-term route into a narrow discipline may find mid-career development difficult. Students from more privileged backgrounds, who have been able to follow a more broad-based education, are likely to be better equipped for a wider variety of roles.

Jonathan Black, Director of Careers at Oxford University, states that half the jobs that exist today will have changed in form and content by the time today’s 15-year-old enters the world of work. He claims that academics in universities teach core transferable skills useful in future employment. He states that employers continue to recruit at leading universities because they recognize the importance of long-term transferable skills – the result of a higher education system.

I believe the introduction of higher fees will create a deeper and longer-lasting split in the working population that will reinforce rather than break down social divisions. The privileged will continue to gain a broad education that gives them more choice and control over their careers; the less privileged will focus on short-term options that will give them narrow training, equipping them for fewer roles, offering ever-declining choice in a fast-changing world.

Farhanah Mahmood, Vice Chair, Society Syndrome

Chelsea East,19, from Brockley, South London explained how her 16-year-old brother got caught up in the riots and was seen entering a shop on CCTV, although he did not take anything he was sentenced to four months at Feltham. Two other 15 year-old young women talked of problems they had experienced while at school, Crystal was convicted of burglary and Carla pushed a teacher at Stoke Newington school, both are now studying at a referral unit in Bromley, they said they had matured and would not repeat their behaviour.

Ken Warman, Principal of BSix, whose college has achieved remarkable results, complained about government cuts in educational maintenance allowance and explained that education was still the best way to achieve social advancement.

Daniella Michaels from House the Homeless explained that cuts in housing benefit are making it less attractive for landlords to provide accommodation to homeless families and restrictions coming in from January will restrict the ability of under-35′s to obtain self-contained accommodation. The problem has become so acute, some young people are being forced to move outside London where more accommodation is available.

Cllr Rick Muir spoke of the inequality in society, which was not being helped by Government cuts, which seem partly driven by ideology, he felt that if jobs and opportunities were not available intevitably there would be tensions in society.

A lively debate ensued, numerous students from the college and some staff contributed from the floor, some felt police “stop and search” policies contributed towards tension, they seemed specifically aimed at black and ethnic minorities, a number of contributors also explained how difficult it was obtaining employment – even part time. Some felt, racial factors played a part, but a young black man from the college said he had approached retailers at Westfield, dressed smartly, attended for interview and succeeded in getting a job. A recruitment consultant in the audience, John Angel, explained he had worked for many years in the field and most employers’ prime concern was the aptitude and ability of candidates – not their race or background. It was accepted, better educational qualifications helped employment prospects.

Concluding, Cllr Michael Desmond, who chaired the meeting, said: Young people need to feel they are able to achieve their goals through studying and obtaining employment, achieving the lifestyle they aspire to through productive effort. Students at the meeting showed the way forward and proved how wrong stereotypes in the media often were. It was important to be aspirational and highly motivated. Society Syndrome would be making policy proposals and starting a blog with a view to contributing to the debate and influencing policy.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the blog should contact us at: info@societysyndrome.co.uk

Pictures: The panel: (l to r) Cllr Rick Muir, Ken Warman, Cllr Michael Desmond, Daniella Michaels
The panel respond to ponts raised in the audience

Finally full details of our launch Seminar. The theme is “The ‘underclass’ and social mobility“. The first seminar panel will be in the lecture theatre of B6 College, Kenninghall Road, Clapton, E5 8PB on Monday 17th October at 7.30pm.

The panel will include Ken Warman, Principal of the College, Daniella Michaels from House the Homeless, Cllr Rick Muir, associate director for public service reform at the Institute of Public Policy Research and a teenager worried about student fees. The sister of a “rioter” from South London, who was sentenced last week to 4 months at Feltham, will tell us what she thinks caused the problems and a single parent who has gained access to a law course, will explain how the poverty trap has affected her.

If you have voice on Social Issues feel free to contribute pieces for our Blog on social policy or respond by commenting to any of our forthcoming pieces.

Competition Alert

To Win a copy of Sonic Free Riders for Xbox 360 Kinect just like us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Society-Syndrome/259745200722801?sk=wall and follow us on Twitter @SocietySyndrome before the 4th October 2011. A winner will be drawn after midnight on 04/10/11

The Underclass and Social Mobility

We are very pleased to announce our very first Seminar. It will be held at the Lecture Theatre, Bsix College in Hackney, London on Monday 17th October from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The theme of our first seminar will be “The Underclass and Social Mobility”.

Following the recent riots in London, the need for some thoughtful discussion and consideration is more than overdue.

Press and Media welcome to attend.

Panel: To be advised