LONDON, UK – 15th JUNE 2023 – London Tech Week marked its 10th anniversary with a groundbreaking moment yesterday as the esteemed Wakelet Microsoft 365 Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament for primary school students between 7-11 years, welcomed Interim Prime Minister Harry Acheampong, an 11-year-old Year 6 student from St. Michael’s in Leigh-on-Sea, to deliver a captivating address on the subjects of Metaverse, Water Management and Sustainability.
The momentous event took place on Wednesday, 14th June, on the Growth Stage, where Harry Acheampong spoke eloquently for over 6 minutes.
Harry’s speech shed light on his recent visit to the House of Lords and his attendance at the Select Committee in Westminster focusing on Water Management and sustainability.
The young Prime Minister shared his experiences, demonstrating an impressive level of understanding and a genuine passion for addressing these critical global issues.
During his appearance at London Tech Week yesterday, Harry Acheampong, together with esteemed Metaverse developer Yogi Velagapudi, known for his work with Google Earth and Disney, presented early images of the Children’s Parliament Metaverse project.
This groundbreaking initiative involves geonavigationally mapping the Children’s Parliament Metaverse onto the iconic British Parliament which Harry referred to as “The Mother of all Parliamentsâ€. It will allow children from the across the UK and across the world engaged in critical thinking.
The project aims to create an immersive and inclusive digital space that showcases the potential of the Metaverse in fostering collaboration and driving positive change.
In a display of international cooperation, British Ghanaian Harry Acheampong extended an invitation to Ghana’s Technology fraternity to join forces in building the Children’s Parliament Metaverse, with the ambition of making it a “global beacon of progress and innovationâ€.
A notable challenge was issued to Tim Scott from Roblox by Baroness Uddin the Co-Chair of the APPG Metaverse and Web 3.0 in April in The House of Lords, urging him to ensure the safe integration of the Children’s Parliament into the Metaverse on the Roblox platform. This challenge was warmly accepted, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between technology and governance.
Joining Harry Acheampong on stage at London Tech Week were several distinguished figures who shared his commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of society. Children’s Parliament Parliamentary Champion Anna Firth MP, former Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Online Safety Damian Collins MP, Co-Chair of the APPG Metaverse and Web 3.0 Baroness Uddin, and Professor Yu Xiong from Surrey University lent their support and expertise to this groundbreaking event. The moderator was Joel Singh from the GEC Space Programme.
Three young female Child MPs from Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School in Hammersmith participated in a panel discussion. They highlighted their upcoming Sustainable Fashion competition, set to take place on the 5th of July in collaboration with Phygitaltwin.io and founder Louise Laing, a former executive at Burberry. The winning design from the competition will be brought to life through same-day manufacturing at the Fashion Enter social impact micro factory in Finsbury Park.
London Tech Week 2023 has witnessed a historic occasion as Prime Minister Harry Acheampong, at the tender age of 11, captivated the audience with his insightful address on the Metaverse, Water Management, and Sustainability. The event has set a new precedent, showcasing the immense potential of youth and technology in shaping a brighter future for all. It was London Tech Week’s first foray into STEM education and entrepreneurship.
The Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament was co-founded by the late Sir David Amess and Richard Hillgrove alongside Peter Spencer-Lane, Headteacher at Saint Pierre School in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Andrew Fox of the Don Hanson Charitable Foundation has been a major driver in taking it to the next level. Balbir Singh has created major connections with the tech industry, the House of Lords and the Institute of Directors.
Its supported by Andrea Maria Cosentino, CEO at Impact Fundry and Host at the Crypto Club hosted at Rise by Barclays, The Home of Fintech. Media partners include The Express, The Week Junior and Business Matters Magazine.
About London Tech Week:
London Tech Week is an annual event that brings together technology enthusiasts, innovators, and thought leaders from across the globe. The event serves as a platform for fostering collaboration, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, and addressing the most pressing challenges facing our digital society.
