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Links:

commonpurpose.org.uk/" target="_self">Common Purpose

This year's Frontrunner student development programme, co-sponsored by UCL, has been declared an overwhelming success by its organisers.

Common Purpose, the charity behind the event, had over 200 applications for the 70 vacancies on the free, four-day residential leadership programmes, held jointly at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË and University of Leeds in July and September.

Common Purpose say Frontrunner is aimed at young people who've already shown evidence of leadership skills in civil society and tries to inspire them to continue campaigning for change in their future careers by mentoring with leaders from both the public and private sector.

Heather Reagan from Common Purpose said: "This year was the most successful in the four years Frontrunner has been operating.

"At the UCL-sponsored event we had 29 contributors from business, state bodies and charities on the programme, including Oxfam, Number 10 Downing Street, the Financial Times and Transport for London.

"This sponsorship is so key because without it, we wouldn't be able to offer the programme to young leaders who often don't have the funds to put towards development opportunities."

According to those who took part it was very much a two-way exercise. Jamie Wallace from on-line mapping site walk-it.com said: " I very much enjoyed today, and was incredibly impressed by the energy and how insightful the participants were.

"Many were good enough to suggest all sorts of great ideas about how we could better engage with the student 'market'".

Joey Powis was a participant on the UCL programme: "As someone just starting out on my career, I found it invaluable talking to others on the course and learning from their experiences."

The 2009 programme dates have not yet been set, but applications will open in Spring 2009. For more information, or to be added to a mailing list for programme details as they become available, click on the link above.

Image shows the Frontrunner mentoring programme in progress. Image courtesy of Common Purpose.