Youth Congress

Youth Congress for NI

Members of the Youth Forum launched their ambitious Youth Congress project at their regional Have Your Say Day at Stormont on the 24th June.

Young People vowed that they would set up their own representative model as they await the establishment of a Youth Assembly.

Chairperson Martin McAuley outlined how young people have called for a Youth Assembly to be established and hopes that a Youth Congress will help pave the way towards a young person’s version of the region’s democratic structure.

The Youth Forum are calling on Young People aged between 11 and 25, to come forward to sit on a Youth Congress which will be led by young people themselves and will act as a pilot for a Youth Assembly. It’s the intention that once a NI Youth Assembly is set up the Youth Congress will be reviewed and stood down.

NIYF’s Executive member Nadine McClean having fun with UUP’s Mike Nesbit and Sinn Féin‘s Dathaí McKay on the Segway’s outside Stormont

 

Youth Congress Purpose:

* To provide a youth led; democratic; representative voice for young people in Northern Ireland;

* To provide a mechanism whereby young people can raise and discuss issues of importance to them and bring directly to the attention of elected decision makers;

* To support young people to campaign and lobby on issues that are important to them on a regional, national and European basis.

* To provide a mechanism whereby government departments can seek the views of young people;
NIYF’s Executive members Leah O’Reilly and Scott Oslon alongside NI21’s Basil McCrea at Stormont

 

3 young people per electoral area (total of 54 young people) will be appointed via a process of nomination and selection.

Meetings to be held once per quarter in various locations around the North of Ireland.

Each meeting will take place during a day where young people will take part in workshops and issue based discussion; work on campaigns; and support local action.

Apply online via: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V97MD5R

Or a printable version click here

Click here for an information pack and click here for a poster

Deadline for Expressions of Interest is 29th July 2013; 4pm.