Images courtesy of the Olympic Delivery AuthorityThe Department will focus on engaging with children and young people, and putting the Olympic Values at the heart of all 2012 activity.

In particular we want to use the London 2012 Games to:

• increase participation in sport (working both to secure the long-term benefits to elite sports competitors and to maximise the increase in UK participation at community and grass-roots level in all sports and across all groups) and to support young people and learners to make healthy living choices more generally;
• use the power of the London 2012 Games to address young people's underachievement and disaffection;
• better equip young people and learners for life in a global society by transforming the nation’s capability in language learning and enabling young people to take a more outward-looking approach to other countries;
• ensure the programme supports learning outcomes and is presented to young people, schools and colleges as a coherent, inspiring package of opportunities.

Ministers have also agreed that the plan should support the following cross-cutting aims:

• the promotion of the Olympic and Paralympic Values;
• inclusion and encouraging positive views of disability;
• a sense of national pride and respect for individual communities and faiths;
• a positive contribution to the community, e.g. through volunteering.

Of paramount importance will be how the plan can support the Every Child Matters (ECM) outcomes:

• stay safe;
• be healthy;
• enjoy and achieve;
• make a positive contribution;
• achieve economic well-being.

And the principles and aims set out in the Children’s Plan, in particular:

• securing the well-being and health of children and young people;
• closing the gap in educational achievement for disadvantaged children;
• keeping children and young people on the path to success.