The first North-South Youth Forum ever organised to discuss issues affecting young people on the island of Ireland took place recently in Belfast, it attracted youth organisations from the four provinces but the politicians stayed away in their droves.
In fact the only politician in the whole of the 32 counties to attend was Drogheda Councillor Paddy Mc Quillan who has close ties to several youth groups locally.
Councillor Mc Quillan said: “It was an honour to be able to attend, to hear the issues affecting our youth and I was delighted to have been able to speak with the young people there.
“It was apparent that whatever their cultural or social background, issues affecting young people are very similar. The lack of mental health services throughout the island was alarmingly apparent. It is clear that the youth want their voices heard on such pressing issues”.
Youth organisations from Louth, Galway, Cork and Derry/Londonderry attended the forum to analyse findings that were gathered from local workshops which had taken place across Ireland at which hundreds of young people had voiced their opinions.
Councillor Paddy McQuillan at the North-South Youth Forum in Belfast with the delegation from Youth work Ireland Louth: Chloe Kelly, Monica Murphy, Jodie Dawson, Paddy Mc Quillian, Rachel Barry, James Grimes and Tony Carolan.
Chris Quinn, Director of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, who hosted the forum stated that it was “vital that politicians north and south begin listening and acting on the views of young people.”
Increased resources for youth mental health services was the obvious main issue affecting young people today. Better relationships with policing, identity, poverty, education and drug and alcohol misuse were other major issues discussed by the young people.
Chloe Kelly who represented Youth Work Ireland Louth said, “The Forum has been an incredible experience for young people across the island who want to have their say on matters that affect them.”
The findings will be put together in a manifesto and presented to The Oireachtas, the North South Ministerial Council and Stormont, when it returns.
“It’s an old cliché but the youth really are our future, so we must care for them” Councillor McQuillan said. “The policy makers north and south must sit up and listen to the findings of this North South Youth Forum and act on them.
“I would like to congratulate all the young people who participated in this important research and in particular the four youth organisations that presented the findings”, Cllr Mc Quillan added.
