Bob Geldof scoop for young reporter

Budding youth reporter Chris Cooper had the chance to interview Sir Bob Geldof at an international event in London.Chris, 19, of Eye, is one of nine youth reporters enlisted by the Government's Department for International Development (DFID) to report live from a two-day conference about fighting global poverty.

Budding youth reporter Chris Cooper had the chance to interview Sir Bob Geldof at an international event in London.

Chris, 19, of Eye, is one of nine youth reporters enlisted by the Government's Department for International Development (DFID) to report live from a two-day conference about fighting global poverty.

At the conference, Chris, who begins university in September, interviewed leading figures such as Sir Bob Geldof and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander about the global issues and decisions that will shape his and other young people's futures. Along with his fellow youth reporters, Chris aims to raise awareness among his peers about issues such as climate change, conflict and the global financial crisis.

He said: 'This was my first interview ever. I guess you can say I jumped in at the deep end with Sir Bob Geldof and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander. I think it's important for young people my age to take some kind of interest in global issues, as the decisions made today will shape our future. Also, politicians can help by speaking to young people in plain language.'

The conference is the first of many events over the next month at which the DFID Youth Reporters Team, aged between 16 - 24, will cover global issues in the lead up to the London Summit on April 2 where world leaders will discuss the global financial crisis.

They will participate in specialist content-creation workshops, day-long edit sessions and be matched with experienced journalist and film-maker mentors. Their blogs and articles can be read on www.londonsummit.gov.uk/en/join-the-debate/you-debate/ and youth websites. The youth reporters come from DFID's Youth Board made up of representatives from youth boards of leading charities.