Promoting Trust In
Politics & Public Service
The mission of the John Smith Centre is to promote the positive case for politics and public service. We do this in three key ways: Research, Advocacy and Events, and Development Programmes.
PARLIAMENTARY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME 2024

OUR PROGRAMMES

Parliamentary Internship Programme
Creating hands-on learning opportunities for students to engage in frontline public service roles and a platform from which they can examine the role of public servants and elected representatives today.
Minority Ethnic Emerging Leaders Programme
A personal and professional development programme for young people between 18-29 from minority ethnic backgrounds aimed to remove barriers that can be faced when moving into leadership positions in society.
John Smith Public Service Award
The John Smith Public Service Award is a two-year professional development programme offered in partnership with The Robertson Trust.
Festival of Politics 2023: How to disagree agreeably
In an age where conflict culture and manufactured dissent seems to be actively encouraged in politics, the art of debating, listening and learning from the other side has been overshadowed by rancour and adamant polarisation. So, how do we revive the art of critical thinking, recognise the value of the ‘grey area’, and the goal of both parties making a discovery, rather than being right? 
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