Young Greens
Óige Ghlas/Young Greens was formed in March 2002 with the incorporation of distinct Young Greens groups from TCD , UCD , DCU , UCC , NUIG , NUIM and LIT . It is the youth branch of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas but retains autonomy in policy and strategic decisions.
Its focus is primarily on ecological and "quality of life" issues, such as equality, infrastructure and sensible environmental planning. Despite its late entry onto the formal political stage, Óige Ghlas has gone from strength to strength, with national campaigns on the war in Iraq, fur farming, same-sex marriage rights and implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, and is now one of the fastest-growing youth political movements in Ireland. The Trinity Young Greens is now the largest youth political group in the University and this year has seen the expansion of the existing groups in all their respective colleges, as well as the establishment of new groups in NUI Maynooth and Letterkenny IT.
It has an annual 'National Convention' at which the National Executive is elected, usually in November. The 2004 National Convention was hosted by Trinity College, the 2005 National Convention was hosted by UCC and the 2006 Convention was hosted by NUIG. 2007 will see the first policy convention of the Young Greens, hosted by both UCD and TCD.
In November 2006, the sixth Óige Ghlas National Executive Committee was elected, comprising the following positions:
- Chair: Edward Davitt
- Secretary: Andrew Murphy
- Treasurer: Marie O'Neill
- Communications: Stephen Crowley
- International Liaison Officer: Emily Murphy
- Expansions Officer Louise Archbold
- Policy Coordinator Nicola O'Connell
- Campaigns Officer Jason Robinson
- DLIADT Rep Emer Timonny-Nolan
- Letterkenny IT Rep Michael
- Coming soon... DCU Rep, UL Rep
As well as the officers' posts, the National Executive Committee is comprised of one delegated officer per recognised branch of Óige Ghlas. Reforms introduced by the current executive aim to make the organisation more accountable and effective. The Young Greens aim to play a major role in the upcoming General Election, with one of its members Roderic O'Gorman standing as a candidate in the Dublin West constituency.
Óige Ghlas is a member of the Federation of Young European Greens since ( http://www.fyeg.org ) 2004 and will be attending the Federation's Annual Conference in Norway and Austria this year to discuss European youth and political issues.
Web: www.younggreens.ie