The Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament To Explore the Metaverse in Collaboration with the APPG Metaverse and Web 3.0 in the House of Lords

London, UK – Primary school students from the Wakelet Microsoft 365 Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament will have a unique opportunity to experience the Metaverse and Web 3.0 during their visit to the House of Lords.

The immersive event will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, between 10.00am and 1:45 pm in the House of Lords in Committee Room 2A.

The event is being co-chaired by Baroness Uddin and Anna Firth MP, and will feature a range of experts in the field of the Metaverse and Web 3.0, including:

– Damian Collins MP (who chaired the Joint Select Committee on Online Safety);

– Carolyn Bunting MBE, CEO at Internet Matters;

– Tim Scott, Director of Public Policy at Roblox;

– Tara Collingwood-Williams, XR Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London and;

-  Ashleigh Ainsley, Colour in Tech.

– Google are sending ParentZone to do a demonstration of their joint project called ‘Be Internet Legends’.

– Ai-Da, the world’s most ultra-realistic artist robot is providing a welcome video message (and will be personally visited by Child MPs on a future date).

The experts will provide insights into the latest developments in the field and will engage with 30 children from East End, London schools and Essex in a dialogue about the potential of the Metaverse and Web 3.0.

The Children’s Parliament is seen as a prime opportunity to explore and case study the transition to the Metaverse and Web 3.0. The event organisers believe that the Children’s Parliament could lead the world in this area working in collaboration with the APPG Metaverse and Web 3.0 in The House of Lords.

Interim Children’s Parliament PM Harry Acheampong, 11 years old, from St Michaels, will be present at the event. He has written to PM Rishi Sunak and Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer to request their attendance. Harry appeared on the front cover of Rishi Sunak’s children’s favourite magazine, The Week Junior Magazine, last month. 

About this development, Harry said:

“The Metaverse is a quantum leap into our next generation of computing. The opportunities are endless- From gaming, education, business to communication. Like every technology, the Metaverse comes with risks. The invention of the internet came with great opportunities and risks such as online bullying, harassment, internet fraud, and child grooming. We should not walk into the dark with this technology. Regulators should ensure that the Metaverse is properly regulated to keep children safe”.

The event promises to be a unique and exciting opportunity for the Children’s Parliament to learn about the latest technological advancements and to explore the potential of the Metaverse and Web 3.0.

Speaking About the Event

Baroness Uddin said:

“On behalf of the APPG on the Metaverse & Web 3.0, we’re excited to welcome the Children’s Parliament to this important event. It provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from children about their insights, ideas, and experiences, empowering them to shape and lead the future of technology”.

Parliamentary Champion of The Children’s Parliament, Anna Firth says:

“I am delighted to see the Children’s Parliament expanding its role in the democratic digital life of this country by adding their voice to the all-important APPG on the Metaverse and Web 3.0 in the House of Lords.

Children are our future so it is vital their voices are heard as we discuss how best to democratise the internet and design the safest, yet most creative, democratic, future collective virtual space. As the Parliamentary Champion for the Children’s Parliament, I am really looking forward to hearing what the children have to say about this mind-boggling, future-shaping topic.” 

Co-founder of The Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament Richard Hillgrove says: “Protecting Children’s online safety is paramount but must be coupled with protecting Children’s freedom of expression and sense of self in the Metaverse. This exciting future must be met with a foot in both camps. An open dialogue with young people will help iron out the creases as we step from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0 and see rapid mass adoption”.

Balbir Judge from Web3inspire.io has been instrumental in assisting the Sir David Amess Children’s Parliament engage with the APPG Metaverse and Web 3.0 in the House of Lords. He says:

“It’s amazing to see our youth discussing and developing Web3 and a Metaverse cultural revolution in the heart of the political centre of the UK”.