(Re)Valuing Partnership in Youth Work

A collaborative reflection on youth work policy and practice – past, present and future

This special one-day conference marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark white paper In Partnership with Youth: The National Youth Policy.

Hosted by the Centre for Youth Research and Development in Maynooth University’s Department of Applied Social Studies, in partnership with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the event will bring together youth work practitioners, policymakers, academics, and advocates to reflect on the legacy of the policy, examine where we are now, and explore the future of youth work in Ireland.

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 18th June

📍 Location: Maynooth University

The conference will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, creating space for dialogue, learning, and shared reflection.

The day will conclude with a social event in the evening — an opportunity to continue the conversations in an informal setting and celebrate the contributions of Professor Maurice Devlin and Associate Professor Hilary Tierney, whose work has helped to shape youth work education, research and policy over many years. It will also provide an opportunity to mark the upcoming retirement as NYCI CEO of Mary Cunningham, who has led the organisation since 2002 and directed its work as representative body for the voluntary sector through times that have seen some of the most significant changes and challenges but also most positive developments in the history of Irish youth work.

Outline Agenda 

We’re delighted to welcome over 25 expert speakers and contributors – bringing diverse national and international insights from across youth work policy, practice, and research as part of a stimulating programme.

Morning

09:30 – Registration

10:00 – 10:10 – Welcome

• Hilary Tierney Emeritus Associate Professor, Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University

10:10 – 10:40 – Looking Back: Review of Policies Past

• Maurice Devlin Emeritus Professor of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University

10:40 – 11:35 – In Partnership with Youth: Reflections from the Sector

Panel discussion

• Maurice Devlin Emeritus Professor of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University
• Mary Cunningham CEO, National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)
• Denis Leamy Chief Executive, Cork ETB
• Celine Martin Head of Youth, Sports and ESC Development Team, Léargas
• Michael Hogg Strategic Services Manager, Youth Services, Education Authority NI
• David Studer Coordinator, Limerick Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC)
• Aisling Maloney NYCI Representative to the European Youth Forum / National Youth Assembly

11:35 – 12:00 – Refreshments & Networking

Midday 

12:00 – 13:15 – Youth Work Policy Priorities: Issues then, Issues Now

Thematic workshops

• Youth work partnerships nationally, regionally and locally

• Youth work in pursuit of social justice

• Support for young people in education, employment or training

• Workforce & employment of youth workers

• Education standards, training and development in youth work

• Young people’s civic engagement and volunteering
• Youth information in a time of mis- and disinformation

13:15 – Networking Lunch

Afternoon 

14:00 – 15:00 – Opportunities for Youth, possibilities now!

Panel discussion framed around the strategic objectives of the national youth work strategy:

• Strategic Objective 1: The role of youth work services in enhancing the lives of young people is strengthened, more visible and better aligned with other services.
• Strategic Objective 2: An equality and rights-based approach is embedded across all youth work services and supporting structures.
• Strategic Objective 3: Youth work services are high quality, accountable, sustainable and shaped by relevant data and evidence.
  • Maria Pisani, Professor and Head of Youth, Community and Migration Studies, University of Malta
  • Karl Duff, Head of Youth Affairs, Department of Education and Youth
  • Mick Ferron, Regional Youth Services Manager, Sphere 17
  • Cora Foley, Youth Services Manager, Limerick and Clare ETB (LCETB)
  • Avril Ryan, CEO, Gaisce – The President’s Award
  • Amel Yacef, Equality & Intercultural Facilitator, National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)

15:00 – 15:45 – Policy and Politics today – in partnership with youth (work)? 
Plenary session followed by Q&A

• Howard Williamson, Professor of European Youth Policy, University of South Wales
• Aidan Farrelly, Teachta Dála (Social Democrats), Dáil Éireann
• Emma Archbold, Campaigns and Communications Director, Children’s Rights Alliance
• David Treacy, Former Director, City of Dublin Youth Services / Education Officer, CDETB
• Fidelma Joyce, Civil Society Engagement Manager, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)

15:45 – 16:15 – Nurturing Partnership(s) between Research, Policy and Practice
A discussion on how academic scholarship can contribute in partnership to national youth policy and practice

• Bernadine Brady, Senior Lecturer, School of Political Science and Sociology, University of Galway
• Tonye Benson Olatunde, Senior University Tutor and Researcher, Maynooth University
• Eliz McArdle, Senior Lecturer in Community Youth Work, Ulster University
• Mark Hammond, Senior Lecturer in Community Youth Work, Ulster University

16:15 – 16:30 – Closing Reflections

Evening

16:30 – 19:00 – Social Reception

Speaker Bios

Learn more about the inspiring individuals shaping the conference.

Kate Cummins (she/her) is the National Network Coordinator with Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, Ireland’s national youth service for LGBTQ+ young people. Kate works primarily with youth workers and volunteers from across Ireland, by creating safe spaces within youth work settings,. Previous to this role, Kate was a youth workers for several years, working directly with trans and non-binary young people through crucial social education. Kate has a degree in Social Care Practice, along with a Master in Community and Youth Work. Kate has also been involved with Youth Workers Collective and is passionate about the collective voice of youth workers.

Eliz McArdle is a Senior Lecturer in Community Youth Work at Ulster University.  Eliz’s teaching focuses on the theory and practice of youth work approaches and informal learning methodologies. Eliz is a member of the Centre for Youth Research and Dialogue and has worked with colleagues in developing new models of practice including the LIFEMAPS model of how youth work builds mental health, a model of Irish Medium Youth Work and the place of conversation at the heart of youth work. Eliz is co-convener of the Youth, Peace and Security seminar series and of the Critical Voice NI website, which promotes discussion on youth work practice.

Carmel Walsh is the Director of Youth Services at Belong To, where she leads the Youth Work Department, a National Network Team who support LGBTQ+ youth workers and organisations, and a dedicated Family Support Service. Her work ensures a holistic, youth-based approach to creating safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ young people. With a strong commitment to youth empowerment, Carmel brings extensive experience in programme management and strategic development. Prior to her current role, she oversaw the delivery of Erasmus+ projects within the youth sector, managing European funding initiatives that supported innovation and collaboration across youth services both at a national and European context.

Martin Fitzgerald is Youth Officer with WWETB , and has In the past practiced as an independent facilitator, trainer and researcher and worked in the youth, community, voluntary and statutory sectors for nearly 50 years as a volunteer, Project Manager, Youth Worker, Development Worker and as a Regional Director. He holds an MSc in Education and Training Management specializing in Project Management in Voluntary Youth Work Organisations and is a professionally qualified Youth and Community Worker. He has worked as an associate lecturer with WIT where he lectured in Strategic Management, Community Development, Equality Studies and Social Policy and has previously lectured for UCC and NUI Maynooth in Youth Work.  Martin was also involved in training in equality with the Equality Authority, as well as research in rural youth work, substance misuse, older people and community development.

Cora Foley is a Youth Development Officer with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB), bringing over 30 years of experience across the community, voluntary, and statutory sectors. Prior to her current role, Cora held a range of positions within the youth work sector, including extensive work with the former VEC’s. A graduate of Maynooth University and University College Cork, Cora’s expertise spans youth work, project management, group facilitation, strategic planning, training and mentoring, as well as adult, community, and development education. Throughout her career, she has been committed to empowering individuals and communities through inclusive, values-driven practice.

Janice McGarry, Coordinator of the European Youth Work Agenda – Bonn Process Project, Aspire2 Director, Freelance youth work consultant, facilitator and trainer for European initiatives.  Over the past 20+ years Janice has been involved at all levels of youth work. Her journey into youth work started as a young person. She firmly believes that her participation in youth work has changed her own life & the lives of her family members as a result. Janice has achieved her degree in youth and community & her Masters in Equality Studies.

Dr. Patrick Burke has over forty years’ experience of working as a youth worked and social justice and human rights campaigner in South America, Europe and Ireland.  Since the early 1990s he has operated at a senior management level in the community and voluntary sector, culminating in over 20 years as CEO of large, and complex Irish voluntary organisations operating in the areas of homelessness, housing, poverty and social exclusion which impact on the lives of disadvantaged young people, their families and communities.  He is currently the CEO of Youth Work Ireland which is the largest provided of youth supports and services in Ireland.  In addition, he is the outgoing President of ERYICA, the European Youth Information Counselling Agency.  He holds a MSoc from Instituto Pedro de Cordoba (Chile) and a PHD in Governance from the School of Law, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Dr Bernadine Brady is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Political Science & Sociology and Associate Director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the University of Galway.  Bernadine has published widely on themes related to young people, including youth work, mentoring, participation, empathy and civic engagement.  She has built successful partnerships with policy-makers and practitioners to ensure that her research has a strong impact beyond academia.

Avril Ryan is CEO of Gaisce – The President’s Award, Ireland’s national youth award and personal development programme. With senior leadership experience across the arts, film and youth sectors, she is deeply committed to youth-centred partnership and collaboration. Under her leadership, Gaisce has established a Youth Ambassador Panel and delivered impactful partnership programmes involving youth collaboration with IMMA, Oberstown, the Irish Prison Service, National Gallery, An Garda Síochána and others. Avril holds qualifications in non-profit leadership, creativity and governance. She is proud to lead Gaisce during its 40th anniversary, continuing its mission to empower young people to realise their potential.

Mairéad Cluskey is a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, ATU Mayo.  Mairéad has a wide experience teaching in Further and Higher Education and has particular interest in the areas of youth work and community development. Mairéad is currently the Chairperson of Youth Work Ireland Galway, a board member of the Mayo Traveller Movement and a member of the All-Ireland Youth Work Educators’ Forum. Mairéad has a particular interest in the professional formation of students in value-based professions, to support an engagement with people and the planet that is concerned with positive social change.

Mary Cunningham is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which is a membership organisation and the representative body for national voluntary youth work organisations in Ireland. She has been in this role for almost years and will be retiring from it in late 2025. Prior to this she was the CEO of the equivalent in Northern Ireland (called ‘Children in Northern Ireland’) for almost 5 years. She has had good working relationships with all of the governments that have been in place for the last 24 years and has been appointed to membership of a wide range of government-nominated roles on a range of committees over the years. She was appointed in late 2024 by the then Minister O’Gorman to be a member of the newly established Advisory Council for the new policy framework (2023 – 2028), for young people – Young Ireland. Its vision is to make Ireland a country where the rights of all children and young people are fully recognised and respected. The Young Ireland Advisory Council will give independent advice and support on policies that affect children and young people. She was previously vice chair of the National Children and Young People’s Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. She is a founding member of the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work.

Amel Yacef, an Algerian who has called Ireland home for 25 years, focuses on transformative and compassionate justice. She has extensive experience organizing and mobilizing young people, especially from marginalized communities excluded by systemic barriers. Amel has led youth-centered projects rooted in social, racial, and gender justice, and served on boards promoting equality and human rights in Ireland and Europe. Passionate about youth empowerment, she facilitates spaces where young voices are heard and valued in political discourse. Her work centers on healing justice and supporting young leaders to reclaim power and drive change in their communities and beyond.

Michael Power is CEO of Involve CLG Youth and Community Services, Ireland’s lead organisation supporting young Travellers and their communities. Joining Involve in 2008, he initially managed the Travellers’ Voice magazine, spearheading campaigns like “Degrees Ahead” to showcase Traveller achievements in tertiary and adult education. Under his leadership, the magazine became a platform for underrepresented voices. As CEO, Michael oversaw an updated strategic plan, emphasising mental health, employment pathways and strengthened collaboration to combat educational disadvantage. A member of the Traveller community, he brings lived experience and over a decade of youth work expertise, passionately championing social inclusion and empowerment.

Michael Hogg is the Youth Services Strategic Services Manager for the Education Authority in Northern Ireland. With over 30 years experience as working in the Youth Sector as a volunteer, and paid member of staff in a wide range of settings including detached youth work, centre based provision and managing specialisms like sexual health and substance misuse. A main focus of Michael’s current role is to develop and manager partnerships between the statutory service and the community and voluntary sector, Government departments and other key stakeholders.

Danny Connelly: I am a professionally qualified youth worker with over ten years experience across a diverse range of contexts. Currently, I am assistant professor in community and youth work at Maynooth University where I teach across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules. My research so far has focused on the intersections of social class, education and employment, with particular emphasis on the experiences of marginalised youth.

Darragh O’Connor is the Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns with SIPTU, Ireland’s largest union. With over 20 years of union organising experience, Darragh has led local and national campaigns in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. He takes a member-led approach to unionisation, with the aim of empowering and developing union members to change their working lives for the better.

Billie Morgan: I am the Youth Work co-ordinator of Involve Meath working with young Travellers in Trim & Navan. I qualified in 2021 from TU Dublin Blanchardstown with a Level 8 (Hons) Degree in Community Development & Youth Work. In 2021 I began working with Involve as the Senior Youth Worker and became the Co-ordinator of the project a year later. Since then I have gone back to college and completed the NUI Certificate in European Youth Mobility Project Management in Maynooth University with Leargas. I am the project manager of Erasmus+ & European Solidarity Corps. I am passionate about encouraging inclusion & diversity for young people from the Traveller community and other ethnic minorities or disadvantaged backgrounds while offer new opportunities and experiences to young people too.

Tonye Benson-Olatunde is a Senior University Tutor in the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University. Tonye lectures, tutors, and coordinates Critical Skills at Maynooth University. She lectures on Social Policy and Equality and supervises research on ethnic minorities and marginalised groups. She facilitates programmes at both undergraduate and master’s levels. Her research interests include Black Ethnic Minority Children and Young People, and Black Women’s experiences in Higher Education Institutions.

Tonye joined the department in 2013 after a master’s degree in Rights and Social Policy from the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University. Before this degree, Tonye had a master’s degree in law and diplomacy and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language from the University of Jos, Nigeria. Tonye is currently a John and Pat Hume Scholar conducting research for a PhD.

Maurice Devlin is Emeritus Professor of Applied Social Studies and Jean Monnet Chair in European Youth Studies at MU. He has contributed to youth policy development in Ireland and internationally and published widely on youth studies and youth work. He has been a director of BeLonG To Youth Services and was founding joint chairperson of the North South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work (NSETS). Maurice served two terms as Vice-President for Europe of the Research Committee on Youth of the International Sociological Association. He is currently working as chief editor of the Elgar Encyclopedia of Youth Studies.

David Studer is Limerick Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) Coordinator with Tusla Child and Family Agency, a post he has held since 2018. He was previously coordinator of South Dublin CYPSC. David holds a First Class Honours Degree in History, Politics, Sociology and Social Studies and a First Class Honours Masters Degree in Peace and Development Studies from University of Limerick. In 2014 David was Development Worker for Limerick Creative Communities project Are You Dancing? Remembering Limerick’s Dancehalls as part of Limerick City of Culture 2014. He has worked with Milford Care Centre, Radio New Zealand and has managed a fuel poverty and rent advocacy project in Brent, London.

Moira Merrigan has over a decade of experience with Youth Work Ireland Tipperary, where she currently coordinates the Youth Information Service. With a background in Social Policy, she is dedicated to supporting young people through a rights-based approach. Moira has also worked across Youth Employment and Community Youth Work. She has presented at national and international events including the ESRI CoWork4Youth event, the Infonomics: Facts Matter International Youth Information Conference, and the IHREC Conference on Promoting Socio-Economic Equality in Employment.

Celine Martin is the Head of Youth, Sport and the European Solidarity Corps at Léargas. She is responsible for Discover EU,  Eurodesk and the national and international Training and Cooperation activities. Celine is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin (MSc in Drug and Alcohol Policy, she holds a degree in Social Care from Dublin Institute of Technology and has a professional qualification in Supervisory Practice from the University of Strathclyde. She has over 25 years working in Youth Work, NGO and public sector. She represented Ireland and the National Agencies for Erasmus+ and ESC on the steering group for the European Youth Work Convention held in Malt