Our News Academy held their 20th conference yesterday (Tuesday) attracting 200 young people.

At the conference Shadow minister for young people Gloria De Piero (pictured) urged teenagers to “shake up the system” in getting involved in politics.

The Labour MP and former GMTV political editor was speaking to News Academy 2014 Summer School graduate Robert Bruce in The News Building.

De Piero, 43, said: “Politics is failing because not enough young people bother to vote. You can inspire young people to vote if you vote. Politicians have to listen to that.

“Politics can lock people out through the terms and language used in parliament. Help me knock doors down and get involved. Make politics more relevant and interesting, less boring and stiff. Shake up the system.”

De Piero revealed she was in favour of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.

Another popular feature of the conference were the break-out sessions where the youngsters could meet our top journalists.

Taking part were The Sun’s associate head of showbiz Andy Halls, deputy head of SunSport Dean Scoggins, The Times columnist Matthew Parris, The Sunday Times editorial director and Magazine editor Eleanor Mills, The Times head of news Fay Schlesinger, The Times deputy foreign editor Suzy Jagger, The Times chief football writer Henry Winter, The Times motor racing correspondent Kevin Eason and The Sun on Sunday political editor David Wooding.

A mock police press conference was also held where students quizzed News UK intranet editor Neal Harrington in the role of a detective chief inspector about a man found dead in his home. The youngsters then wrote up their copy and the prize of a Google Nexus7 for the best tweeted headline went to Catherine Reid with ‘Star Stockville striker found dead in luxury flat’.

An all-star panel ended the day with Sun editor Tony Gallagher, The Times deputy editor Emma Tucker and video ad technology company Unruly's co-CEO Sarah Wood.

The debate was chaired by News Academy director Duncan White and Tucker said: "I would like to see form group teachers read papers with the children every day.

"Schools and parents have a part to play. If you want to get on in life, read a newspaper."

Gallagher said: "If you read a newspaper, it would make you smarter about the world. Newspapers drive the conversation."

Wood said: "Having conversations with readers on an emotional level is key to get people interacting."